It would be fun if WGT could show stats for certain time periods. I'm pretty sure my Driving accuracy have increased 7-8% after I got the G20 driver and that surely accounts for quite a few birdies. I'd imagine the R1 would give a similar increase.
That said, I am not upset with the R1 being out of reach (it's 2-3 years up ahead and I doubt I will be playing this game, at least not in this shape, by then), but it is a bit strange that WGT makes the extreme clubs easier to play. In my opinion, going for those extra yards should come with an extra risk. A bit the same with the balls, you buy distance, spin and a slow meter. It would be more interesting if you had to choose.
Maybe something like this:
Legend tier balls:
Total "dots": 11
Master tier balls:
Total dots: 9
And so on. Then there could be a varity of balls, like the top level
D: 4 distance, 3 spin, 2 feel and 2 durability
S: 3d, 4s, 2f, 2dur
F: 2d, 3s, 4f. 2 dur
X: 4d, 4s, 2f, 1dur
Life: 2d, 2s, 3f, 4 dur
Same principle could be applied to clubs.
I understand that WGT want equipment based on levels, so that we play like maniacs to get XP, but there must be other ways to achieve that. More stats for instance.
A good thing, for WGT, with the method described above is that here would be no "best" club and "best" ball, therefore we would probably buy more things, just to test.
I, for one, have my R11's and there is nothing better we can buy. I even hope there won't be anything better since they have almost made the game less interesting by (together with Nike's) more or less removing the roll factor.
Yes, sure I could use the starter clubs, or buy some Raptures, but I also want to win something now and again.