Hi Dusty, do not despair as we all have the same reaction with starter clubs and balls, As DB says a better ball will help, albeit marginally with starters clubs.
You have only played a few ranked rounds with the most part of your game being CTTH format. If I were you have a few ranked rounds on the front 9 of St Andrews and learn how to run the ball to the hole rather than aiming to land close to the pin (as you know - the ball just motors on).It will also help you learn all sorts of shots.
In the meantime try and earn some free credits http://www.wgt.com/user/offers.aspx and then you will able to upgrade your clubs, which do make the game easier. Try to use your time playing ranked rounds, work on your game with practice and your scores will improve.
Also for the record you played a couple of your rounds on Merion - the gradients on the approaches make some greens nearly impossible to stop with good equipment let alone the starters kit.