[Sydneyfonzi]

First off, this thread isn't about donations, and I hope that this is the last time the word is mentioned. Second, I hate threads like this, and really hate being the one that starts them, but it's a neccessary thing at times. I'm posting this as way to ask the forum members to support the site that they claim to love so much.

To many, THP is a forum, while in reality, the forum is probably one of the smallest parts. The homepage gets a more action than many realize and is really the foundation of everything you all love about this site. It's is amazing to see the number of forum members that can spend hours a day on this site, yet still not read a review and leave their thoughts or listen to a radio show.

These things are completely integral to the success of the site, yet participation in them is so low that it's ridiculous. Without that home page, the articles, reviews, and radio shows, there wouldn't be a THP that you are familiar with. How many of you found this site when searching for reviews? I would venture to say almost all of you. Without the visibility to and participation of forum members, why would any company care to spend time doing things like product testing, demo days, Kingdom Trips, etc, etc. Also, why would JB and GG and the rest of the staff take the time out of their day to make sure there is a place like this.

Take some time to read the reviews and articles. Listen to the radio shows. They are there for you. In the last year, we've had people from TaylorMade, Callaway, Bridgestone, True Temper and Mizuno (among others). We've had journalists, experts on equipment and famous golf instructors. These things take amazing time and effort to produce and there is really no excuse why the people that say they love this site shouldn't be listening, reading, and commenting.

That said, I'm not asking you to go into a review of mine and tell me I did a good job. If I did and you want to say that, I really appreciate it. Most of all, I'd appreciate it if you told me your experience with the product, asked me a question about it, or even told me that you don't like it. If a radio show isn't about your favorite product, you'd still be surprised what you might learn from it. Also, you might find out that something you didn't like might be better than you think.

To me, it is incredibly sad that a thread where forum members could test a free driver has 500 replies and 8,000 views, yet a radio show with an industry expert has less than 20 replies and 100 views. It tells me that people are here for reasons other than what they may say. It's not just new members either. You all love golf and say you love to talk about it. I'm asking you to take a moment to help the people that work their butts off to give you a place to do it.

Lastly, there is no need for apologies, brow beating, etc. I'd rather talk about what you think of the Callaway DART system, or the NC Dinero, or the R11 Rescue.

[Misiotoagodia]

Thanks for posting this Hanks. I will claim ignorance here. I typically go straight to the forums as it is nice to have 2 way communication as opposed to 1 way communication found in reading articles. I will make an effort to utilize THP in its entirety as I had no idea traffic outside the forums was critical in the site's success. Wanted to write more and I will later....gotta run!

[Fdmnrnba]

I can't take credit for that post griff...that's my brutha frum anutha mutha Hawk

Thanks for posting this Hanks. I will claim ignorance here. I typically go straight to the forums as it is nice to have 2 way communication as opposed to 1 way communication found in reading articles. I will make an effort to utilize THP in its entirety as I had no idea traffic outside the forums was critical in the site's success. Wanted to write more and I will later....gotta run!

[Seilehogshell]

My excuse is that I am always on the forums while at work and have no speakers on my work computer. I couldn't hear the radio show if I wanted to!!

But I understand where you are coming from on this one Hawk....

[Sydneyfonzi]

I actually listen via headphones at work. My coworkers would probably not find the NC Dinero quite as captivating as I do hehe

[carreraboyracer]

Many people have iphones or ipods. Some may or maynot know that THP is on iTunes. I download the radioshows or stream them on my iphone while driving to work. It means THP on the go besides tapatalk. I've probably listened to the fitting show about 3 times already. It's a convenient way to listen to THP.

[Flikemommoilt]

great post Hawk! When a new radio show comes up I either try to listen at lunch or I listen when I get home. I love the interviews that get done. Gillis from Miyazaki may be my favorite show(s). I love when it gets down to R & D with stuff like the DART yesterday.

[AntonioMQ]

im guilty of not listening, until now!! and what a wonderful show it was, i will def be listening to the other ones!! i love THP and would like to support it anyway i can!!

[ebookinfo]

Great post Hawk. I try to listen to everything, but do get behind at times. This last few weeks has found me traveling for work and family so much that I've really missed so valuable THP interaction and listening time. The last two days found me 550 miles of windshield time, 3 hours of sleep one night and pulling back into town I met a buddy for 18 before I even went home, lol. Now were off this afternoon for a 7 hour drive to a family wedding, where does it all end?

[Fiesialenp]

I can't take credit for that post griff...that's my brutha frum anutha mutha Hawk

You guys could totally get together to be a reviewing, posting, all encompassing THP monster 'Hawnks'

There are some awesome and very concise reviews and interviews on the THP pages. 5 mins of reading Hoefy's interview, for instance, has really got tons of folk thinking, and it spills over into the forum into a full blown discussion/brainstorming thread!

The radio shows are always enlightening, and funny! No matter the subject.

[Sydneyfonzi]

I definitely understand being busy. I had a couple month stretch recently where I couldn't be here except for a very short time each day (if I was lucky). I always appreciate that you retweet our stuff, Duey. I don't think people realize how much that means to THP. I guess I get annoyed when I wake up to pages and pages of posts in the Off Topic threads, but the reviews, etc are just sitting there dying.

[Fdmnrnba]

Love it! Rep added

You guys could totally get together to be a reviewing, posting, all encompassing THP monster 'Hawnks'

There are some awesome and very concise reviews and interviews on the THP pages. 5 mins of reading Hoefy's interview, for instance, has really got tons of folk thinking, and it spills over into the forum into a full blown discussion/brainstorming thread!

The radio shows are always enlightening, and funny! No matter the subject.

[OrefZorremn]

This is a great topic. I can honestly say that my day starts on the homepage and I work into the forum from there. I have fallen a bit behind in listening to the radio shows this week with all of the stuff I've got on the go right now. The homepage is the way I found THP in the first place, there would be no sense in just passing it by now. I do like reading the reviews.

[tLO0hFNy]

I definitely understand being busy. I had a couple month stretch recently where I couldn't be here except for a very short time each day (if I was lucky). I always appreciate that you retweet our stuff, Duey. I don't think people realize how much that means to THP. I guess I get annoyed when I wake up to pages and pages of posts in the Off Topic threads, but the reviews, etc are just sitting there dying.

It use to bother me too dude, but some folks just use this as a chat room. I've pretty much come to terms with it. Nothing use to irritate me more than that. I can't tell you how many times I've said that this is a "golf forum" but it falls on deaf ears.

[AntonioMQ]

i listened to the dart, and the greenside today! and i can honestly say me not listening in the past has done nothing but hurt myself, i learned alot just from listening today! and i will listen from now on! some of the stuff had me giggling like a school girl! but i learned my lesson and will be on the look out for more radio shows!!

[DrazAdwamoi]

Good post Hawk. I was on here for over a month before I even realized there were radio shows, but now I love them. I think posts like this are needed to get the word out. I came across them by accident.

[ebookinfo]

I definitely understand being busy. I had a couple month stretch recently where I couldn't be here except for a very short time each day (if I was lucky). I always appreciate that you retweet our stuff, Duey. I don't think people realize how much that means to THP. I guess I get annoyed when I wake up to pages and pages of posts in the Off Topic threads, but the reviews, etc are just sitting there dying.

Thanks buddy, I long to get back to the days of more THP time and fewer road hours. I know you guys put a ton of effort into those reviews and show's and these are exactly what brought me to THP in the first place. I can honestly say I'm a better golfer from the knowledge learned from this site and that comes from all of you.

[ptmQqoxw]

I genuinely try and read all of the articles and listen to the shows. Sometimes I am behind. I really wish people would understand how valuable it is to support ALL of THP.

Great post Hawk, it needs to be said and there are a lot of new members who may not be aware of that aspect of THP!

[NADALA]

Well stated post Hawk. IMO alot of people are missing some really good stuff in the reviews and especially the radio shows. The radio shows in particular make my plan periods at school enjoyable.

Maybe I need to get into this Twitter thing to re-tweet stuff to, I'm all for helping out and spreading the word.

[Sydneyfonzi]

It use to bother me too dude, but some folks just use this as a chat room. I've pretty much come to terms with it. Nothing use to irritate me more than that. I can't tell you how many times I've said that this is a "golf forum" but it falls on deaf ears.

I like off topic stuff and there have been many nights that I've spent a couple hours not talking about golf. Nothing wrong with that at all. Still, throw us a bone and not just when there is a prize on the line.