Please submit your suggestions for prizes for the next contest. What's the hottest item out there you'd be interested in winning or would you like us to do the shopping spree again? How about greens fees at a local exlusive course or a small trip? Let the ideas rip...

How about 'First Review to be for Advertising by a Store'?
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JW

Sorry JW; could you explain what you mean by that? Dumb me has no idea what exactly you mean. I'm sure it's a great idea, but you have to explain for me before I can really tell.

Don,

That was kind of an inside joke with Chris. The review I wrote last month for the Walter Hagen 385M driver is now being used by Dick's Sporting Goods in their in-store advertising.

I also see I typo'd it. It should have read 'First Review to be used for Advertising by a Store'. Just trying to stack the deck a little.

JW

Chris,

Seriously, the small trip idea is interesting. There are always little 3 day/2 night golf packages to Myrtle Beach that are very reasonable. I'm sure other parts of the country have similar venues. Chamger of Commerce websites could probably help with data.

Other than that, I think the shopping spree idea is much better than a specific item.

JW

How many people are within driving distance of Myrtle Beach? I am (about 10hrs), and if there is enough interest we could do that. I actually did a trip last year that cost me about $300 for 36 holes / 3 days and staying at a nice golf community. Unbelieveable the deals..

Hi Chris; I would have to vote for the shopping spree, that's less hassle for you, and more flexable for the winner. You might even be able to work out a deal with one of the stores, like Golfsmith, Dicks, TGW, or another store. Give the winner a choice of which store to get a gift card from, or store credit.

3 1/2 hours to Myrtle - that's one of the reasons I moved to Charlotte. I know Trip is in Florence and I think we've got a couple of folks from the Atlanta area.

Maybe we should try to arrange a little get-together next fall/winter. I've got a points based timeshare there and I'd be happy to use some points to put up a couple of foursomes for a few days.

Check out airfare, too. Carriers like Hooters Air are always having specials.

JW

The trip idea could be difficult for many to fit into their schedules. I too like the equipment idea, and I like the idea of letting the winner choose his own prizes with a gift certificate as opposed to winning a specific item.
You often have reviews of items that aren't commonly sold in stores. I'm referring to component clubs. You could give a gift certificate to a website such as www.horsepower.com, which sells components for such suppliers as Bang Golf, Alpha, Integra, and SMT. These are clubs commonly listed as being used in long drive contests.
The winner gets a gift certificate which he could use to purchase components or to purchase custom built driver to their own specifications based on information they submit the website. I don't work for Horsepower, so if you want to choose a different supplier, then do so. I just thought it would be a good choice since they carry a variety of products from different manufacturers. I think IN GOLF website does likewise.
I also like the idea of the gift certificate to a large chain golf store such as Golfsmith or Golf Galaxy. This way the winner could go to the store if there is one in his area, or he orders over the web if no physical location is in his area.
I would imagine that any of the suggested outfits listed above would be happy to supply a gift certificate in exchange for the free advertising they would get at the top of the homepage of Golf Gear Review.
I like the equipment idea much better than the trip idea.
Joe Golfer

Chris,
Maybe a GGR trip would be a great idea in and of itself, aside from the contests. If we could get a group of people together and go to Myrtle or something, we could probably get a great group rate. We'd have to pre-pay of course to make it work for you, but just a thought! Could be a good time!

Joe,
I just won the recent shopping spree. It worked out really well. Chris just had me pick my favorite online retailer of my choice. I chose TGW.com, as they have always been good for me. They have a "Wishlist" feature on their website. So I just put together my wishlist and it had the option to E-mail it to whomever you want (Chris in this case.) It worked pretty slick! Chris was totally flexible in who I chose, & left it up to me! (Thank you! Thank YOU!)
The round or rounds of golf at a nice course in one's hometown sure sounds nice too!! It would be nice to share it with a buddy. I know a lot of the online tee time booking companies have gift certificates available like TeeMaster. That would probably work pretty slick too!

The TeeMaster idea sounds interesting. I've got a friend who is on the road 3 or 4 days each week and he swears by them. He always has his clubs and uses them to find quality courses wherever he his. He claims they haven't missed yet.

JW

All noted, still trying to nail it. Maybe a combo deal or something. For instance, winner gets $300 to either shop online and order gear or receive a gift certificate from their favorite course (assuming the course can be contacted and this arranged)... still thinking..

How about lessons?

Lessons would be a good idea. I know I'd like a few, but can't spare the cash right now. It shouldn't be too difficult to set up.

JW

Chris: any time table for when the next contest starts and finishes? The prize for the last contest worked out well I hear, I'd vote to maintain the same system for the next contest. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

Don, just waiting for some advertising checks to roll in to make sure I've got the dough in the bank before committing. Should be any time now. May up the ante a bit.. we'll see how the advertising gods treat me...

Okay everyone, start clicking on those site links so Chris can get some checks rolling in and we can start another contest. Make it a practice of clicking on at least 1 or 2 site links each time you log into this site, and help Chris out. As Mr_Divots would say, "That's an order soldier".

And hope none of my advertisers see this message, hahah.. Anyhow, it's safe to click a Google ad you're interested in once each visit and one of the other banner ads. But only if you're interested..

I'm lost? I'm new to this site. What kind of contest do you have?

bogeyball,
Welcome to the board! On the other side of the GGR web site where the equipment reviews are located is where you find contests when they are going on. Each time you enter a review, your name goes in a hat for the drawing for whatever the prize is at the time. The last contest ended not long ago, and the site admin is looking for ideas as to what a good prize would be for the next contest when it comes up. The last one was a $250 gift certificate to the online golf retailer of the winner's choice. Before that, I think it was a set of Callaway irons. Just enter your golf product reviews during the next contest period and you'll be entered.

Ok everyone, the new contest is up and runs until August 31, 2005. There is an ad running in the left nav bar for the contest and requires entrants to submit a review *and* be registered in the forums. $300 shopping spree at Golfsmith via an eGiftCard which can be used at Golfsmith.com, in their catalogs and at the retail stores. Good luck! I will be sending out an email blast to members of this board in the next few minutes..