I welcome WGT's idea to make the game more competitive and to provide more incentives for players to finish started games. I have to say, though, that the introduction of new tiers and levels looks like a mixed bag at first sight:
Pro: WGT gave generous credit gifts to virtually every player. Con: Virtually nobody can use these credits, since at level 30 most club sets are locked.
Pro: WGT has advanced many players to a higher tier. Con: Many players cannot sign up to various CTTH and stroke play tournaments anymore with the new tier.
It's especially remarkable in my opinion that WGT imposed such severe restrictions on purchasing equipment in the Proshop, since their sales will plunge dramatically. I haven't come across a golf shop who denied a beginner a set of Ping i15 because he was a beginner and not entitled to spending his money on good equipment.
My fear is that the introduction of levels will - at least in the short run - widen the gap even further between advanced players and beginners. Anyway, it's all fresh still, and too early to tell whether the changes will have a good effect on WGT....hopefully so!