@hack I would agree with most of what you say for the most part, but I would also disagree with a few points. Now I am not an expert, and I can only speak from my observations, what I have read and seen, but the game does have some issues when it comes to parity and "fair play."
I agree if people want to improve they need to put in the work as well, but when you come across "legends" who regularly win at Ready Go's against top players like Fmagnets and Sebicu and continue to remain "legends" for extended periods of time (upwards of 4 or 5 years or more) then there are some problems with the system used.
I am not going to give names, but I have taken screen shots of such observations. Some people can even be "legitimate" good players but they have been around long enough to know how WGT works so they manipulate or restrict their ranked rounds played to remain in the lower tiers where they clean up in the Legend tier only based tournaments while those same players were also winning credits against Champion tier players in tier-less ready go's. This is problematic because those players have obviously demonstrated a champion tier skill level but are not getting promoted. It eventually catches up to them but it can take a long time, years even it seems.
WGT also uses a form of forced promotions by implementing Saturation at the lower tiers. Some players even work around that. But for newer players or players not understanding the dynamics of how WGT works "average" players if they play a lot can and will get forced into promotions into a higher tier when they may not be ready and really are not playing "Legend" or "Champion" tier golf on a regular basis. Now, WGT may or may not be doing this purely to keep players grouped fairly, but it is more logical that they are doing it to sell more expensive equipment and balls that players are nearly forced to buy when they are "forced" into promotions on the back tees.
Now, some steps are reportedly in place to force promotions if I understand correctly that also lowers your average if you are fortunate enough to win credits in a WGT event or Ready Go even though your actual score didn't warrant it. This reportedly stops at the Legend tier though.
It is not a simple or easy answer or solution because there are also players who will do what they can to circumvent the "spirit of the rules" to avoid being promoted. But, even for people trying to put in the time and work, it can be particular difficult to overcome the many obstacles and the highly skilled players...not to mention even many top players get disgruntled or upset over players reportedly using cheat software or other means of possibly multi-accounting or whatever...
I would like to get good enough to win credits in bigger events, but even when I have been able to swing 3 top ten finishes in one week, it doesn't even cover one sleeve of balls. So, despite my improvement over the past year, I am conscious of the fact just how difficult that task can be when there are various obstacles in your way. Do I stop playing and hope all of those "sand baggers" eventually get promoted? That may not help because inevitable there will be "restarters" coming up behind them and dominating as well. It seems it is a vicious cycle and very challenging for WGT to stay on top of even if they were trying to do so.
This of course is just some of my observations but for the most part, I save my credits and avoid Ready Go's because that tends to be where the sharks go to feed.
edit--I will add there are other aspects and areas of the game and lots of good people and company that can be enjoyed.
but, if someone aspires to winning credits in Ready Go's there are definitely some challenges ahead of them and they will definitely need to put the time in to consistently shoot low scores on a regular basis...if not, your win rate will not be good enough to cover your entry fees, let alone the cost of balls. The next problem, now that you have invested hundreds of rounds to shoot low scores consistently you will likely face a promotion to the next tier, where you face tougher competition.