+1 ISH - friends in similar situations help a lot. As an addition, enter a CC - advanced members will help, too.
@bobleg: The company doesn't give away credits or items worth credits easily. Most of the time, you get XPs with steadily renewed potential to draw credits from your pocket in the Pro Shop.
The only "free" credits (50 - 250) come from tiering up IIRC. I don't consider the prizes in free Monthly or Weekly tourneys free because you need supernatural skills and best equipment which are costly.
In rare occations, we get a single ball or a Putter Pal for free, plus an avatar with the US Open qualifier (the best reason to enter as a low tier/level player).
Add a free rental weekend about twice a year, that's about it.
Cash flow is meant to be reverse - they want our best - for themselves.
Capitalism ruLeZ!
It's up to the users to act different, generous - see the various Christmas giveaway occasions.