WHY ?

I am not an avid 'Forum contributer' but nevertheless I suspect many of you guys out there  (who I do not know other than v GS communications) may well be looking in !

I have also been watching ManU v Sunderland and consumed my pint quoter for the evening so click on now if you are not at all interested in the remaining content !

WHY ?? - why do you look at 'Forum content' WHY do you 'respond' - probably obvious in the sense that the content warrants response ! But also we all converse after the game of golf ! so why do we also converse over a site like GS

We have a Society of 12 active members but only a third converse over the site  is that because it's "not reallity" or because it's "contrived" or because it is not what most people do in their normal life !?

As a matter of interest I will be asking my crowd  the same thing

and .......... why do I do it ? because I appreciate communication even though to be honest I am one of the most silent people around outside subject matters that interest me or if I've had a few "Stellars" in which event I will discuss the most outlandish subjects 

Incidently I will be sending all replies to my local Phsyciatrist !

Colin

Obviously John Pettit will have to reply to this one !

In part answere to my question people like JP are intergral to "Forums" maybe only this one or is JP a facebook and tweeter also - sorry John don't mean to pry ! - and you don't need to answere !

Colin, would love to provide my thoughts on this and what type of people interact on forums and engage with Facebook etc and how this then extend to the niche of golf and the many facets of the golfing world.

Unfortunately I am having a sad Saturday evening working on some site tweaks and updates and going through your wonderfully contributions which I always cherish or is that relish ?  via PM. for me it's better than watching the X-Factor !!

No Colin, I am not on Facebook or a twitter.

As regards to this forum I have found that as I have now met many nice friendly guys who I can meet up with and play golf with, then it is expected to continue this friendship using the medium of the forum.

It is well known that I am a pretty plain speaker, if not downright blunt at times. but then, forum contributors must expect this kind of exchange, as it would be pretty boring if all we did was pat each other on the back, when sometimes we would never have meant it.

Being a pensioner I have so much spare time on my hands that the forum helps to while away the times when one is stuck indoors and not out on the course, where we all should be all of the time.

Golfshake is an excellent website as it provides for everyone and long may it continue.

guys

your responses 'almost' made me 'well up'

I do agree with you John ... GS is an excellent site - I think so even though I will not hold back on criticism , that is not me - but I always knew that GS had that 'niche' that does not exist anywhere else - that is what has taken me on board and I do believe in this site !

mind you this Darren whatshisname who keeps cropping up - is he the tea boy or what ? 

Colin

Colin, I think it is Darrens insistence on spreading himself about on all of the golf days as well as contributions to the forum that makes this site more a family affair, unlike many others.

I doubt it would be the same if we did not know who ran the site.

I know !

and I feel I also know Darren even though I have never met him hence my derogitory comments - I would never make such comments if I didn't think I knew him - he knows that and I know that  so it's ok for me to slam him off - I know he takes whatever I say with a pinch of salt he'll either totally ignore it or put it to oneside and refer to it later for application whatever suits !

As you quite rightly point out John very rare to have a 'Family feel' on a site in the way Darren has  somehow managed to create ! ........ very rare !

Colin

Colin, we will meet up for that game very soon I keep going on about!  not sure if I will manage to wangle the 2010 now though but sure we can get something else nearby.

Please don't wear the make up or dress though, you might scare me.

Have to say I love this site. Joined originally for the score tracking but to be honest its the forums and the events and the people who I met through them that make it so enjoyable for me.  I check and read the forums mostly every day and contribute when I feel the need.

As for the 'family feel' - totally agree with previous comments and that this is down to Darren's interest in his members, not just their subscriptions.  Met Darren a fair number of times now, and a jolly decent chap he is too. He needs to get out and play more though

As for me - I twitter as @noynek and often exchange tweets with @darrenram and @gtour (Colin Astbury) plus follow the ramblings of @ianjamespoulter @kenbrowngolf @thechristinakim and many others.  I also twitter as @ICE_Essex as I am the chaiman of the Essex branch committee of the Institution of Civil Engineers (yawn). I also facebook privately with friends and to keep in touch with my sister in the US.

Lord knows how I have time to do all this and go to work and see my family and play golf - but I seem to manage it at the mo. 

Why?  For me, when I first started tracking on this site I played maybe once a month and knew maybe 4 or 5 players locally that I could possibly get a game with and very rarely played anywhere other than three or four local courses.  Then I went in for the second ever Golfshake comp and the bug really got me, I've made some great mates through the site and played almost all over the country on some superb courses.  I think that is what makes it different to most forums, most of us aren't just anonymous avatars and we get out, play golf and have a bit of fun - the consequence of which is that it is a way of keeping in touch and seeing how other people are getting on, where they are playing and what they are up to.

I also get the opportunity to air my views on some of the more technical areas of the game, I too am an engineer (sometimes an un-Civil one) and just can't help trying to debunk some of the pseudo-technical claptrap spouted by manufacturers trying to sell equipment.  I mean, where else would I get to post something about measuring golf ball hardness with a microphone AND get a response?