Known by some as “the golfer’s Bible” for its comprehensive reviews on golfing equipment, Allen said he entered an online contest to join the magazine’s players panel in the summer of 2010.
To qualify he had to write a short review on three different clubs as well as include his handicap, a solid 8.8, and a short essay on why he would be a good product reviewer for the list.
Through a stroke of good luck, Allen was one of five men chosen for the 2011 team. The magazine funded an all-expenses-paid trip in October to Litchfield Park, Ariz., where Allen spent four days testing and reviewing about 16 different clubs per category at a golf resort. This information was compiled with the opinions of scientists and retailers to make up a composite review for the hot list.
While Allen said it was fun to “play with all the newest toys” — some of which he never would have been able to test otherwise — the review process is nothing like playing a round of golf.
Testing began at 8 a.m. and lasted until about 3 p.m. as he hit about 10 balls per club. There was “liberal use of Band-Aids and ibuprofen” as golfers ripped gloves and fought blisters in the process, Allen said.
“It was like a buddies golf trip but where you get to play with all the latest equipment,” he said. “But they were very clear in the materials that this was going to be work.”
Having gotten involved in the sport late in high school and continued with it through his corporate career, Allen said golf has turned into a relaxing game he loves. It’s one that he said presents a constant challenge.
“You can always get better. It’s a game you can never master,” he said. “Even Tiger Woods can get beat and has to work to improve his game.”
The list is available now in the Golf Digest February edition. While there is no guarantee Allen will be selected to review products for next year’s list, he will be “knocking on wood,” not just the club type, that he’ll be back.
“It was literally the trip of a lifetime if you are a golfer,” he said. “I can’t imagine anything better.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.
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