Do you read reviews or just give them thumbs up?

[sillybizz]

Lol. I knew I shouldn't have included that part. The last thing I want to do is give the impression that I don't appreciate all the great info each and every diamond has added to this site. I know you and silly aren't taking it that way, but just in case anyone did.

It's just that cubic zirconia jealousy, we get it.

 

[Countchunkula]

It's just that cubic zirconia jealousy, we get it.

I'm just a lowly gold. Cubic zirconia is for those fancy folks (who've written a bunch more reviews than me).

 

[ru4por]

I don't really see brevity as an asset in reviews. When I need to read through dozens of them for a trip, I want a lot of details and personal observations/ impressions. Reviews are a tool for my traveling....a very important tool. Much like any tool, I don't need to keep it within reach and fondle it all the time.

 

[Pizza God]

I tend to only read reviews of courses I have played. I do read some of courses I am about to play if I have time. Most of the time I am going to play it no matter what. But there have been times I found good information in reviews.

I will click like on a review if I either enjoyed reading it or it gave me good information. I also like honestly in reviews.

As far as what I write, that depends on the day I write the review, how tired I am, and what mood I am in. I have been known to finish a review and realize I wrote a book. I "try" to not get into hole by hole description even though I really want to. Instead I try to pick out holes I enjoyed or just a general idea of what the course is like.

My personal favorite courses to review are the ones no one has reviews or the flat out horrible course. I admit I find it fun to trash a course, specially when it deserves it.

I have been contacted more than once from course designers, either telling me they appreciate my honest opinion or asking me how a course could be improved.

 

[Hampstead]

None of the above.

 

[sillybizz]

None of the above.

Hampstead doesn't read reviews, he stares them down until he gets the information that he wants.

 

[Hampstead]

 

[Surge5]

To answer the initial question, Bizz, I lightly scan any reviews I read for helpful information. If I find something that tells me something new about the course, and the rating isn't incredulously out of line (*cough* Black Widow *cough*) they get my upvote. If it's a course I'm interested in actually playing (even if it's ten years away) I'll read full reviews and even a @Tyler V essay if it's there (Carrollton Park).

As for my writing, I tend to open Pros with an overview and amenities, followed by course pros, then any unique aspects. Cons vary wildly; anything from "the greens are boring" to "there's a friggin shooting range next door." Overall will start with things that the reader has to decide if they are a pro or con (pay 2 play or difficulty level), plus anything that doesn't fit in a directions or course info page. Then a wrap-up and recommendation on if you all should play it or not.

 

[Getty]

I'll be honest, when I see a reviewer I like who has reviewed a course recently I haven't played, I give them the thumbs up without reading the review sometimes. Not all the time but sometimes. I always read new reviews of courses I've played however. There are times I write a review and 5 minutes later there are 5+ likes on it and I wonder if people are actually reading it or just seeing a diamond reviewer reviewed something and gave it a thumbs up.

tl;dr lololol

 

[sidewinder22]

I miss the old homepage. I don't read or see or thumb or write nearly as many reviews as before.

 

[Pizza God]

I miss the old homepage. I don't read or see or thumb or write nearly as many reviews as before.

I will admit, it has taken me some time to get use to the new format. It has gotten me more involved on the message board though.

I do like a lot of things better. The new owners have done a good job of listening to us old timers and have made things better once you learn the site.