Golf for Women Blog

From the link:

The Web World of Golf Techno Geeks

As equipment editor of Golf For Women, one of my favorite job duties is to scan the many golf-equipment forums available on-line to find out what the die-hard gear heads are talking about. Sites such as TheSandTrap.com, Golfreview.com, Golfwrx.com and Bombsquadgolf.com all feature discussion boards where people with above-natural interests in the most intricate details of golf equipment new and old share their excitement over a new shaft material or dismay over a discontinued line of putter grips.

It's fascinating stuff to read, partly because I'm boggled by the endless amounts of time these guys seem to have on their hands, and partly because of how thoroughly many of them do their research. On several occasions, I've gotten my first glimpse of a prototype product I know isn't coming from a company until three months down the line in a fuzzy, paparazzi-like picture on golfwrx.com that some covert sleuth has managed to snap inside the bag of a tour player on the driving range at a tour event. Many of the bloggers also keep close track of what's released in Asia, a completely different market than than in the U.S., and use that information to deduce (not always very accurately) what's to come here in the States.

As a born-and-bred equipment geek myself (my father had me repairing and building clubs in his custom shop from the age of 14), I understand where these guys' interest comes from. But I work with golf equipment so I also have to know as much as possible about every aspect of the genre. Learning and writing about it is what I do, every day. I'm curious what these guys do for a living, where their interest and "expertise" comes from. They're often very opinionated and happy to dispense advice and criticism of anyone in the industry who doesn't share their views (my esteemed Golf Digest Hot List colleagues Bomb & Gouge take their fair share of beatings on many of these message boards, for instance).

When I read posts from some of the more uppety bloggers, I always picture some middle-aged 16-handicapper with a paunch who's eating a frozen dinner in his boxer shorts in front of his computer as he bashes the idiot who proclaimed the Titleist Z Muscle Forged irons inferior to the Z Blend Forged (both of which, by the way, are clubs designed for the very top layer of players in the world and not for amateurs). I'm endlessly curious to find out who these dudes might really be.

So here's my challenge to all you armchair equipment experts out there: Let us know what you look like. Send us a picture. Tell us what you do. And then explain how you know so much.
February 07, 2008 1:52 PM


Let's show them who we are!

Someone posted a great comment in response:

Pretty "uppety" yourself to be basically calling an entire class of people "some middle-aged 16-handicapper with a paunch who's eating a frozen dinner in his boxer shorts in front of his computer."

If you spent some time on some of these boards, you'll find that it's similar to walking down a busy city street: some wackos, some in need of help, some idiots, but mostly a bunch of reasonably intelligent people with some very qualified, professional people there. In other words, stop generalizing - how offensive would you find it if someone blogged about all women ruining pace of play on the golf course? That's not true, either.

You're falling victim to two things here:

1. The age-old practice of using one or two examples to extrapolate a trend and applying it without relevant data to an entire system.

and

2. "confirmation bias" - Where you use the SLIGHTEST evidence to confirm something you already believe to be 100% true, thereby detouring you from objectively evaluating something.

I hope people treat your blog with more respect than you are treating this subject matter.

Christ that's lazy journalism! A load of sweeping statements that manage to be patronizing, condescending and insulting all at the same time. I'd be embarrassed to write something so inane. This is exactly the sort of piece that makes male golfers think that women golfers don't have a clue (see, I can generalise too ;-) )

When we spend time around equipment we're deviant obsessives. When she does, it's because she's a 'born-and-bred equipment geek'. I'd post a reply on her site but I have a sneaking suspicion that she is just whoring for attention (and bad photos too!)

(I'm also pretty sure that it's 'uppity' not 'uppety' if I remember my Mr Men books correctly!)

As one of the middle aged (ie 26 year old), 16 handicap (7.8), with a paunch (work out 5 days a week) bloggers I gotta say she's so full of herself it's ridiculous.

It's quite ironic that GolfWRX and one of these lazy bloggers worked his butt off so her work in the Hot List could be given proper perspective. Wonder if she'll give us the same chance?

I guess part of me should thank her because it's statements like this that helps drive traffic away from traditional print media towards us.

I thought the comments from "Tyler Durden" were pretty amusing.

"Resistance if futile."
--Stina SternBORG

20 handicap, thank you very much.
Get it RIGHT

I think we could put together a small crew to go over and prove her wrong.. We have plenty of genius level club builders and + handicaps that could make her eat every last word.

That is an EXCELLENT point.

Lately I've been reading posts from a different perspective, I don't know, maybe it's because fatherhood is looming in my future so I'm assuming an early role, but before I continue I don't want anyone thinking I'm trying to come off as holier-than-thou or a wannabe Mod...

But I urge everyone to keep this thread somewhat civil- while I know her comments were off-base and definitely worthy of some aggressive responses, I don't want us to lower ourselves to that level and prove any of her nonsense right.

I'm just looking out for OUR reputation as well. Just a thought...

I actually thought her blog was funny and not intended to offend anyone. Who cares if we are golf paparazzi? I love that about this place. We can argue about clubs that we can or cannot (I am in the cannot category) hit and get enjoyment from it. Don't take it so seriously. If you are laughing as well, she's laughing with you. If you are getting offended then she's laughing at you. It's more fun to let them laugh with you. I'm out.

Wow, a little bit of an overreaction here. She didn't make a sweeping statement about anyone who posts on this (or other) sites. She was talking about a certain segment that feels the need to argue over minutiae. And when she reads those kinds of posts, she said that's the picture that pops into her head. She didn't say that's who they probably are, just that that's the image she gets. Which is why she asked for pictures, because she knows her mental image is most likely inaccurate, and she wants to actually see who the people are.

I have to admit I get the same impression sometimes when I read some of the arguments that go on here (such as any thread debating blades vs. cavity backs).

Yes, this is all very humorous how some are insulted...
I was not offended by her blog at all...
if anything it is amusing how we (as forum members & golf fanatics) are viewed.

Kindest regards, Shawnee

Why would anyone care what she has to say in the first place?

Maybe she's a friend of Kelly Tilghman.

I'll send her my picture if she will send me hers.

I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm offended- because I know my game and my personal life and my fitness level and my love for the game of golf. To be honest (and I think most here would agree) we (meaning the members of GolfWRX) probably exert the same level of effort with respect to ANYTHING we purchase. If I'm going to get a flat-screen LCD TV, I'm going to be browsing and lurking forums for months before I pull the trigger. Same goes for cars, or digital cameras, or basically, ANYTHING.

I think the argument could be made that many women face generalizations about golf and the way they approach the sport, and they don't like it. And rightfully so. To classify all women as slow paced players and to assume they don't know anything about equipment and what-not would be wrong. If the shoe was on the other foot, and an article was written by a male editor from say, Golf Magazine, about womens' obsessions with golf fashion and the type of woman, perhaps a "30 handicap in her frumpy PJ's sitting at a computer eating take-out sushi so she can eat and not go to the gym this week," some females would have something to say about it. And rightfully so.

This is all just discussion, I don't think anyone is really that heated about it. Exposure for GolfWRX if nothing else...?

very well said...

Funny you mention that. Looking at the site they have a small article on matching overpriced shoes ($425) to overpriced ball markers ($90-$325!), and she's giving us a hard time for being geeky with gear.

Fashion page

I think part of it stems from a frustration that people are doing the research on their own on sites like WRX and not tuning in to the established magazines, shows, etc... where people with "credentials" tell them what to play.

I thought she described me perfectly.

I don't think that exasperation can be considered an over-reaction.

The comment about the Bomb and Gouge boys copping flak from forum posts is ironic as hell. Many people might not know that one of our members, taylormadefan, was the one who got to interview B and G and get them to explain their choices when so many people had issues with them. That was due to the hard work of one blogger at Golfwrx.

As a writer here on golfwrx, I am a little offended by how dismissive she is of non print media - she's an equipment editor so she's some sort of unique and special snowflake when it comes to golf whereas someone like myself is a dabbling amateur no matter how well researched or written my articles are. In fact, the best article I read last year was 'A Week Inside the Ropes' by our very own Dan Grannan which completely outclassed anything written by the print magazines.

And the only magazine equipment editor I know bears far more physical resemblance to her uppity blogger than anyone that I know writes on here :-)

That seems to be the case for all of the major 'Old School' media outlets. The internet gives them quite an inferiority complex. Lack of control over information causes backlash; Mark Cuban's blog relative to Stern fining the bejesus out of him.

She is actually being quite pointed in her queries as to why we feel we are even qualified to offer advice etc...I agree with Kiran, print media is soon to be a dinosaur and I would like to know why she believes that she is more qualified than many of us here? As an editor, all she does is pick and choose which stories get written (I am sure there are other duties, but you get my point) and what gets published, thats not rocket science sweetheart. Born and Bred? Maybe your future Mom and dad were a bit frisky after hanging out at the 19th hole upon winning a few majors (breeding as you referred to it) and then you came along, silver 6 iron (probably a Titleist Z since you infer you are a "playa") in hand.

Please Stina, get real.

Lets see your picture first.

But she wasn't talking about the people who write or blog here, or even most of the people who post here. Read what she said, she was talking about a small segment of posters who feel the need to argue about the most ridiculous of topics. And she didn't dismiss them as a bunch of middle aged so and so's, she merely said that that's the image that pops into her head when she reads one of those ridiculous posts. That's why she asked for pictures, so she could get a true representation.

And now that I'm arguing over this, I'm looking at my paunch and realizing she was on the money.

http://www.golfforwomen.com/gear/askstina/search

Funny, here are pics (photoshops anyway) of dearest Stina....slow down on the make up sweetheart, we cant see your face....

The woman from "Fore Inventor's Only?" I didn't realize that was her.

She is getting exactly what she wants...publicity towards her new blog on what I assume might be an updated website for Golf For Women. They are featuring several new bloggers on that magazine's site, and I suspect that they are looking for traffic to their site, and the easiest way to do that is to be controversial, over the top (as over te top as a golf blog can get, anyhow), generalize on a topic, etc.

We as forum readers and posters take ourselves too seriously, anyhow. Just read some of the posts here, unless you are an elite golfer close to scratch, it probably doesn't matter a whole whether you are carrying a 21 or 22 degree hybrid, whether you carry a 51 or 52 degree wedge yardage wise, etc. Lots of nice topics for discussion, but let's face it, we are mostly all equipment geeks here in one form or another, and yes, Steinberg and her ilk at GDigest/Golf For Women would have far fewer subscribers without us.

After seeing her on the few shows she's done for TGC, my wife doesn't like me watching any of the re-runs. Can't blame her, Stina's cooking IMHO.

It's not just the die hard geeks who are into it. It's casual fans as well. Take a look at GolfWRX's numbers from last year on Alexa. Huge surge in June when easyyy posted the preview pics of the i10's.

Regardless of what she says or thinks, companies are stating to take note and are beginning to realize the validity of marketing on the internet. I'd be willing to bet that the first place Stina saw Callaway's Tour Authentic and IMix line was right here.

Yellow Journalism and poking people to get a reaction isn't something I'm into falling for, so I'm done checking out her blog and site. Pretty silly of her to imply her parent company's content partner in her story.

You aren't getting my point. Yes there are many casual fans as well as die hard geeks here, but the numbers are irrelevant. There is a small percentage who like to argue over minutiae. The casual fan isn't getting into an argument over whether a 53 degree Vokey wedge is better than a 54 degree Cleveland CG12. It's this small minority of posters that she is referring to.

And she stated that she sees new prototypes here on GolfWRX first. I think if you go back and read the article in its entirety, it's actually a very flattering and complimentary portrayal of GolfWRX.

Wow. The posts on that blog make us all look like idiots and/or children. Geez, I just like to talk about golf.

Comment from Stinky Stina's blog, now I know what SST Pure if for!

You learn about gear on these sites months before you would otherwise see it. You then poke fun at and belittle the people who provide this content to you free of charge? Ever heard of the phrase, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you?" You are one pompous, self-righteous individual Stina. You are an ice queen. I like that. Is that weird? Spine me, flo me. Won't you SST pure me? Which way do you swing(weight) Stina?

I have only heard good things about Stina and we saw her walking around at the Orlando PGA Show. As for what WRXers look like, there is a thread with some pretty good participation here:

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6245

I think her comments were honest but hard to tell intent.

So here's my challenge to all you armchair equipment experts out there: Let us know what you look like. Send us a picture. Tell us what you do. And then explain how you know so much.

Do you also poke at colonies of Florida fire ants, hoping a few come out to pose for pictures? An informed golf forum bears a remarkable resemblence, and for good reason: foraging for information is critical to a forum's survival, but a painstaking and solitary endeavor. Sadly, most information has a shelf life considerably short of a Hungry Man frozen dinner... let's say one year at most, perhaps more with putters, certainly less with TaylorMade drivers.

Condensed, it sounds like you are saying

To all "you armchair experts" with your "expertise" - how do you find this stuff out?

The paradox between really wanting to know how to get better and more timely info and the disparaging phrases you use when addressing those whose help you seek isn't resolved by your "equipment geek" background in club repair club (re-whipping persimmons, perhaps?).

If the comment in parens had it's intended effect, you've experienced what I believe you initiated - a viseral reaction to an inaccurate and condescending communication.

I love that fact that she equates physical appearance with knowledge and ability. Has she seen the majority of professional golfers? They aren't all Tiger. It isn't as if we are talking about running marathons or anything. In it's simplest terms, you are hitting a ball with a club. A fat guy and an anorexic have just as much chance as anyone.

For someone that is supposed to be writing for an audience of women, that is a very bold and judgmental statement that I am sure her readers would support as well. (YEAH RIGHT)

I might even go so far as to say that she is exactly what is wrong with the world and self image today. We aren't all tall blondes; welcome to the melting pot.

i have to discuss golf here. My wife gets sick of hearing about it.
plus it's too cold to just be in my boxers at the computer.

Stina - hottie , like the sleveless shirts and she golfs too

Sorry but I disagree, a bit too 'plastic fantastic' for my tastes...

Kinda harsh, if you're quoting the Jefferson Airplane lyrics...

Her neon mouth with a bleeding talk smile
Is nothing but electric sign
You could say she has an individual style
She's a part of a colorful time

Super-sealed lady, chrome-color clothes
You wear 'cause you have no other
But I suppose no one knows
You're my plastic fantastic lover

He cant forget the juniors too! We have to be accounted for too, golf is a game for all ages.

Brian

What does our age, physical traits or any of the other factors mean anything in regards to our knowing a thing or 2 about golf equipment.
I'll never be a Nascar driver but I can tear down an rebuild a V8.

In another of her BLOGS she states she is an 11 handicap. By her logic why should I listen to what she has to say? She's "only" a midcapper and must not be "good" enough to discuss equipment.

Stina's just mad that she liked that chip clip from Fore Inventors only and everyone online trashed it.

OH MY GOODNESS!! I was thinking the exact same thing. This place
is like my second home. (my wife would say first). (funny, it's valentines
day, and i'm here) lol.


BTW, I have to be honest, I have only my boxers on at the computer, once
in a while. I'M SORRY MOM.

It is nice to see that she has stooped to a new low in stereotyping everyone here as a fat, lazy, middle-aged, wacko, sitting in our boxers in front of the computer... basically looking at golf equipment and pleasuring ourselves! What an enormous EGO this woman has!!!!

Giive me a break!!!


I come to this site, and others, for some (well, somewhat) cutting edge info on what is out there and what is coming down the pike for golf equipment and what is going on in the rest of the REAL golf world! From what I have seen of her stuff from her shows on The Golf Channel, she seems to look at things from a way to general and way too basic perspective!

I feel a bit insulted by her comments that were written and now have a slightly different view of her.



(I also wish she would expand her golf wardrobe! Way to many tank-tops and sleeveless shirts worn all the time. You can tell she thinks she is just so hot! She also struts around like she is all that and a bag of.............)

Well, anyway.... For someone who seems to think she has the vast experience in golf equipment because she was helping build and repair clubs at the age of 14, she comes across like she is a novice model and has just been given a crash course and a cheat sheet on the item she is currently talking about on TV. Eye candy, but no actual substance!

I, for one, am unimpressed!

If you're on these boards, you don't find Stina's appearances on TGC interesting from an equipment viewpoint anyway -- she is fairly basic.

The woman is known for being opinionated.

Personally, her voice and attitude are not my cup o' tea. But each to his own.