Are you a lurker? Here is a good thread.

We were just talking about this with some of the Marshalls and I have to say I am confused.

We are a discussion based site so you would think there would be a high degree of participation from them membership. Not so. Only a very small number of our members interract on a regular basis.

Why lurk?

Seriously, it cannot possibly be as much fun to sit on the side lines. Golf is all about the social aspects of getting together with friends. Shooting the BS after a round is practically mandatory.

Join in!!!

Consider this an open invite to participate(not that anyone needs it)

Take a chance. Share a view or opinion on something.

i've been basically a lurker on all the golf site's for over a year now. I think its because reading about golf is just relaxing after going through a crazy day of work and life, so i end up just putting my feet up and reading all the new posts (and making the occasional purchase). But I'm trying to start participating more. I think you should post this topic every now and then just to snap people like me out of our haze and actually contribute. Thanks for the great site. matt

There are a lot of us here that would love to hear fresh ideas and we are not like certain other websites that blast you if you have a different opinion. We would love to hear some new voices!

I've been basically a lurker for years on all the sites. I throw in my 2 cents when people ask a question that I may have tried a shaft or driver or whatever, but I have been somewhat intimidated by, let's take JC for example, he is quite knowledgeabke about tour clubs, Taylor Made, he's seen them all. I haven't, so I can't comment on them. I don't feel I can add anything to Joe's comments about club repair as he has the reputation of the best.

I guess there are more like me than the others out there. It isn't a bad thing. I am a private person in real life, so I guess that carries over to the internet boards.

If I've learned anything by hanging out on golf websites over the years, never let a lack of knowledge hamper your posting!

Seriously though....this site is such an awesome repository of information that by reading through it, it qualifies you to answer many of the questions that get asked.

-Thomas

I am just a little shy....after getting expelled from Todd's Kingdom last week.
My crime?

I posted a reply to an admin/mod's comment that he would know what was best for us to read.

My reply was, " You have go to be kidding!"

My sentence? Suspended for 2 years.

Just kidding about the shy part...I take part when I have something to say.

Here's a little story........

When this site first started I thought 'great a clean slate', a chance to get involved and participate having been a member of other boards.

So I open a thread asking for people to post pics and describe their current putter, I post a picture of my Gamer which also happens to have a few other Bettinardis in it.....

Next thing I receive a PM from the originator of the thread(who happened to be a Moderator for that forum at the time !!!) , berating me for using up Bandwidth and for showing 'my collection' rather than my 'Gamer'.He then went on to insult my putter collection.

A heated PM exchange then ensued at which point I thought, stuff this, this place is already 'That Other Site' , i'm off.....and stayed away for a while before coming back to Lurk. I was so incensed I asked for my ID to be removed but common sense prevailed and I came back

Fortunately I haven't seen that person around here for a while and have been more active in posting and starting threads without a repeat of that unfortunate experience.

I am very glad that I did come back because I've seen this site grow into something really worthwhile.

This is the best Golf Site out there, let's all contribute something.....

Corky, sorry for the negative experience. Umfortunately, each site has it's growing pains. We are glad you are back! Thank you for your contributions.

Chelance, Don't forget sharing your personal experience with a club is valuable information. It may even conflict with the majority, but it is nevertheless your experience and it is important to hear different views.

Doug, we don't share the same philosophy as BSG. You won't get banned for stating an opposing opinion. That simply isn't healthy and doesn't promote the truth. We'd love to hear your views!

Thius was a one-off, unfortunatly it happened after my first post....
Nothing like it has happened since.

The fact that you are concerned about the visitors experiences here,
is enough to show this is a Classy Site. .... more power to your elbows!!

I like to respond to threads more than start one. A good topic is to good to sit by and watch, of course unless I do not know much about it.

Why lurk.... Easy, I dont considered getting flamed by 15 other people a good time. I love golf, but just started playing again a little more than year ago, so I dont know all the technological mumbo jumbo so Im dont have much to contribute. Most people ask technical questions, whether it be swing or equipment related.

Secondly, it seem that the majority of the members are low handicappers/scratch golfers (which I find hard to believe) and seem content to stay in within that clique. I admittedly am around a 25 handicap. I shoot low to mid 90's.

I'll put on my flame suit as Im sure people will take that the wrong way. I dont mean it as a bash on the site, or the members of the site. This is the way online forums are. Im not saying every member is "anti newbie". Ive asked a few questions and have gotten some great help.

So, there my post for the month.
Love the site, maybe youll hear/see more of me as my game improves.
Just my .02.

Hello cam, I agree what Champ said and I could give rat's rear end if you are great player or not or just starting out enjoying this wonderful game of golf. Get your feet wet and you'll find this site very enjoyable place to post and to participate in discussions. If you find a post flaming you offensive, just contact the marshalls or the rules officials.

I know there's plenty of golfers with your handicap and I'm sure they would love to hear what you have to say and vice versa.

People lurk because its easier. You live vicariously through others, though it can also be difficult to break in to the clique that alot of message boards generate especially if your not American. What I mean by that is that many boards generate a sense of community through people meeeting up to play. In my case thats not somehting I can participate in as I live in Northern Ireland. Also if you lurk you don't have to think of anything to say

So true.... I have been a compulsive lurker for years. I hardly ever post but have been a member of almost every golf board for years. Its just easier to lurk and read.

I do most of my lurking while at work and it takes much less time to read several posts than it does to post. So for me its a convience factor.

I will post if I have something to add. But to just make usless posts or follow up with an agreement post is just not worth the time in most cases.

Although I do have to say this site has a lot going for it. Since I joined I have gotten 2 pm from the mods. I am sure they are auto generated but it was a nice touch and it does facilitate an environment of comradary.

A lot of lurkers follow the the old saying:

I never learned a lot by talking, but I sure learned a lot by listening.

Again...nice to see you here and posting! If it was a PM from the mods...it was indeed sent personally from them to you.

Hey all,

Thought I'd throw some words out there too. First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for starting a better, more mature forum out there for everyone. I've been a long time lurker on various forums for years for various reasons. Most of the time it's been because I like reading the information, but the compulsive arrogance sometimes gets to me. Also, as a "younger" guy, I don't have the resources to consistently buy clubs, so my input would of course be limited. Regardless, I might not post as frequently as most, but thank you guys for making it comfortable for anyone to post if they wish.

Kevin

I lurk mostly on this site because it doesn't work well with my home computer...a G5 iMac.....this site in particular makes the computer work too hard...the fan runs full speed. Other sites don't have this problem so I assume it is some software issue with the Apple browser Safari.

Anyway, like the site and know a lot of the folks here.

Try Firefox and turn off the right click and either the top or sliding menu. Seems to work fine on my G5 laptop.

It is addicting once you get started.

I had never posted anything on any golf site ever before this site, and look at me now, I never stop.

Try it, You'll like it!!!!!!!!!

Funny, I'm a lurker, and I have nothing to add!

That's the primary reason why I lurk, because by the time I get to a thread, my question has either been answered, or I have nothing to add!

Plus, as mentioned, GolfWRX has THE BEST PICTURES, HANDS DOWN.

It's a cool lunch-hour site. Great site, guys...

Don't ever think you have nothing to add, just your opinion and your reply's add something to the site, this site or any can only be as good as the input that it receives. No question is dumb, no opinion is silly.

I admit it i'm a poster. i'm addicted. I need help. is there a 12 step program to help me with my posting addiction?

Shoot, that is what is wonderful about golf...I've never been on a four man scramble without the c and d player...and the team that wins is the team that has the d player that contributes, i.e., all the a players are the same but the winner and unknown quantity is the c and d players. A mid to high handicapper doesn't know less about the game they just don't shoot as low a score and that could be simply because of lack of time to practice or even get out to the course and play. One of the best tech guys I know has trouble breaking 90 but he can get into the scientific side of golf with the best of em. He can build a club to any spec needed and understands the properties of shafts, etc. He is a doctorate of kinetics and vibratory sciences and when he speaks I listen...so contribute one and all...remember this...the hare won the race over the rabbit even though he wasn't the fastest thing out there...off my soapbox now!

P.S. By the way, I design and manufacture putters for a living and you dang well skippy better believe I listen to all handicaps, not just the single digits.

I am guessing that a couple years ago you didn't buy clubs on-line either ...... and look at you now

HUSH.......... my wife doesn't know about all the clubs that I have

SHHHHH........... All the golf clubs nuthin...mine doesn't know about the golf STORE i bought

Not sure why I went from a psycho poster to mostly a lurker. Bad experiences at a previous site might be the explanation...that and the most I can usually add is occassional comedy relief!

I'll be back posting soon!

I lurk.....I have played about 5 rds in the last 5 years (1 scramble a year ) so I dont have my swing from old and know nothing about the new equipment. I play with Original PING irons. They are older than I am.

I am here to read and learn, but might throw in a comment or two now and then. (Plan on buying some things from the classified as well to try some new shafts, etc)

Brandon

I'm here!!!!!!

ITS A CELEBRATION

I am serious when I say there are many of members tha learn at different levels. As a 20 handkapr when NEVER want to hear a lot of thethings that some say here. They can relate to question that a 15 to 20 hndk member would ask. Thanks for posting. You post counts are up 100%

Keep it going!!! Welcome.

I'm one of those tweeners, I do equal amounts of both lurking and posting. In that position, I have to be careful in that I sometimes post more than what my knowledge is capable of deciphering.

Yeah, I am a lurker, but I have worked in the industry for a few years in retail and can do repairs and build sets, but still I just like to sit on the sidelines and read what people are saying, but I will try and air my opinion more now.

Power to the Posters!

Glad to hear B! You know how much I enjoy your stuff....no matter if it is only for laughs!

If you think my posts were occassionally funny you should hear my input on clubs...and god forbid you read my input on the golf swing!

I spose I'm a lurker cause I'll generally have a low post count. If I feel I've got something worth adding I'll always speak up. But I"m not around much and often what I"ve got to say has been said by the time I get there. Even at my own site I don't have a high post count, probably around the middle of all the members. But when I do say something I try and make it worthwhile. I don't worry much about being flamed - my take is if I don't like a topic or what someone says I'm gonna ignore it. So if someone's gonna flame me I'm gonna ignore them too. There's a heck of a lot of people on the net - can't honestly say you're gonna like all of them.

But if it's worth saying and adds to the conversation I'll speak up.

Otherwise I just enjoy reading what's out there.

Plus my job is high stress and it's just relaxing to escape to these places and just enjoy.

Hello everyone! Just joined yesterday and will use this topic for my first post. I like what I'm seeing so far. A lot of knowledgable people with insight here.

I'm a lot like goughy just stated above. I love the game and enjoy reading about it. I've found that websites like this offer much more reading enjoyment than any magazine. For many topics I have little to add so I don't but I enjoy reading what others have to say. For example, I love reading about/seeing tour clubs and the latest in the pros bags, but guys like JC are definitely the ones with the info and I have very little to say except "WOW".

If there is a topic I feel strongly about, or if I honestly feel that I can contribute, I will without hesitation. Don't know if that makes me a lurker, but I am here. Keep up the great work!

Hello all. As many here have mentioned, I am a lurker. I love the site, and have found all the inormation provided very valuable. I currently play to a 16, so I don't feel I have much to add by way of discussing the swing or the mental side of the game.

Also, I have never purchased anything other than OEM clubs so there isn't much I can add by way of tour equipment discussion either. However, this is the golf forum I visit most often and can't get enough of it. I really enjoy all the pictures posted, as well as the discussions.

Last but not least, I have found everyone here to be top notch. I will not say that I am afraid of being flamed, because since I joined in June, I have not seen one post with anyone being flamed. In terms of member interaction, these are among the best forums I have seen.

I will try to post more, but believe me, I get plenty of enjoyment out of merely reading everything this site has to offer. Take care!

-D

Just thought this should be bumped for the new crowd

Really doesn't matter what handicap you are... I know there is a fair share of single digit and maybe even some plus'rs on here...but your opinion is just as good as anyone else. Dont be afraid to post based on your handicap...maybe another high handicap is looking for and opinion by a similar skilled player.

<standing at podium> Hello, my name is Alicia and I'm a lurker. Whew, that was a load off! Seriously, the only reason I "lurk" a bit is because I don't see any other females on here. You guys are a bit intimidating I agree, but not so much that I can't contribute. There just doesn't seem to be as much activity, if that's the right phrase. Some of the discussions are days old. JMHO.

No need to be shy Alicia. It doesn't make a difference if you're a guy, girl, young, old, good player or bad player. We're all friends here so post away

Andy

This seems like a good place to put my first reply, I guess I'm a lurker but lately this is because of lack of time, exams are over soon and I'll jump right in that ring and start tussling with all you guys. One last thing: My name is Adam, and I'm addicted to golf and I don't think it's a bad thing

I spend most of my time lurking, but do post every once in a while. The reason that I lurk is mostly that , as someone else has mentioned, most of the people here are single digit handicaps and I can learn a lot more from that crowd more than I could ever contribute. That being said, the atmosphere here is such that I can stick my nose in without getting my head chewed off as it would on other sites. Thanks for hosting a site where I guy like me can learn a ton and also be made to feel welcome if I do speak up.

Hey Alicia...Welcome again! By all means, don't be intimidated by us. A lot of us have "met" through other forums through the years and we might be chummy, but there's no reason for us to not want more friends on the net. If you've got something new to say or a new question, don't be afraid to start your own topic.

And for those guys who feel that they are not as skilled as a lot of the other guys on the board....don't be afraid to give us your opinion and thoughts. I for one have a lot of friends and family who have higher handicaps and who are constantly asking me about new equipment. I look forward to reading about all equipment and opinions from all types of golfers.

I am a lurker on here as well as a few different message boards. The main reason is probably that I've seen so many times on other boards a newbie ask a FAQ and get blasted for not using the search button. I usually search before asking a question and find my answer.
I lurk here more than anywhere else because it's nice to not have every thread turn into people arguing about how far they actually hit the ball compared to what they think, or who would win if they played for money. I'm also another one of the less talented players and I don't have answers for alot of the questions.

I lurk on here for a couple reasons.
I am analytical and just really love to read and take in as much as I can. I also feel that often enough is said about most topics by the time I get to them. I do feel like I can contribute even with being a 13. I have caddied my whole life, worked at courses and golf retail stores, have my own shop in the basement and give lessons (no official certification just lots of reading). I have started to learn more about the tour aspects with a buddy on the Nationwide tour and the tour info seems to be a big topic on this site.
The other reason is lack of knowledge about forums. I don't know how to get a cool picture under my name (avatar I think it is called), or how to post pictures etc... I haven't really tried hard to learn, so I need to do that. And newbies do get lit up on other sites, so there is a bit of a fear factor there. After doing the lurk thing here I truly believe its a different site and made my first post a week or so ago.

I just want to say that this site is great for so many reason, the members, moderators, founders, sponsors, should be very proud. I think I have "broken the ice" so to speak on posting and suspect I will chime in more.

I was lurking but I have started to post more. This is occuring for a couple of reasons:

1) I have the mid-winter blahs and really want to get out and golf.
2) I am in the middle of very mundane work and need something to keep me thinking.
3) This board has realy grown since I first joined and I think it is one of the better golf boards on the net.
4) I have noticed that overall the people that post here are very nice and friendly.