Hi again,
I now see that there may actually be a good reason for having the WGT Starter Balls (Slow Meter) (L1+). Currently, I mainly use the free unlimited ball (a.k.a. 'the rock') and so I know my clubs with that ball and have much of wedge shots charted with the free unlimited ball.
GolfingJMan:I thought to myself "Why do they even offer this fail Starter ball in the Pro Shop when there are other better performing balls for much, much, less!"
GolfingJMan: It seems pointless...
Why offer a ball that might be considered grossly overpriced or a "fail Starter ball...of mediocrity"? Perhaps WGT's product developers understood and understand the possible high value of a ball with 0.0 attributes on everything except the feel and durability rating. And so, that may be why it has been, and is, offered. It may not actually be pointless even though it may "seem" so.
A wide array of choices can sometimes be a good thing because "better performing" is in the eye of the user—what is "better" for one person's interests may not be "better" for another person's interests or even the same person's interest at different times.
So, what is the possible high value? From what I've read, the spin rating as well as the distance rating can affect ball flight and so if I did begin to use another ball with "better" attributes, such as spin or distance, I might have to re-chart just about all of the shots I've already learned with the free unlimited ball to get equal competence with a "better" ball. Doing so would probably take lots and lots of mulligans and so, unless I was willing to stick with a premium ball brand for the long haul, buying them would probably not be the most frugal way to spend my credits.
And so, I've been thinking that I'd actually like a ball such as the 100-credit WGT Starter Balls (Slow Meter) (L1+) but that actually has maybe a 3.0 to 5.0 feel rating without any other spin and distance attributes, just like that "ball of mediocrity."
In fact, now I'd probably be willing to pay 250-300 credits for a 3-pack of balls with such "bad" attributes as 0.0 rating on spin and distance for special occasions. Why? Because I already know my shots with the free unlimited ball and I'd like a slower meter without any extra spin or distance attributes, attributes that might affect ball flight. I'd say that the perceived value of an item depends very much on the user's interest(s).
The MAX Slow Meter Balls (Hack+) that I bought a couple months ago for special occasions make a very nice slow meter—even for the MAX Precision Iron Set (L45+) I use—and have 0.0 spin but have a distance rating of 2.0. While using those Max Balls with the extra 2.0 distance, I can do a pretty decent calculation and reduce my power on shots to get a close rendition of the free unlimited ball. But, I'd rather a ball with a MAX Slow meter (5.0 Feel or more! if more then maybe 5.0 isn't Max!) and 0.0 rating on the spin and distance attributes because then I could just play it as the free unlimited ball but with the luxury of a vastly slower meter.
Maybe WGT has thought of introducing a "Slower Meter" ball with 3.0 to 5.0 feel rating but wouldn't want to give the people more choice if doing so would incite hysterical and misguided complaints. Rewarding such behavior can encourage more of it. I do not believe the people at WGT are imbeciles despite much of the hassle and hostility directed at them.
Although my first post was not hysterical and without careful thought, I remember having an internal debate on whether to publish my initial feelings after accidentally purchasing something I did not intend to purchase because I didn't want to carelessly publish something that I'd later regret. I sort of do regret it now. And actually, I thought I had decided not to post it. I remember the next day after I posted was a Saturday and I got an e-mail saying I had received gifts. As I recall, I was surprised to learn it was related to this post because I thought I had closed out the window to before publishing that post.
Since that first post, I've read stories of people receiving refunds after contacting (hopefully politely) WGT Member services. Being the newbie I was at the time, I don't think I was aware of the possibility of doing so.
In my view, it is usually best not to speak or publish anything when one is emotionally stirred up and/or fatigued—especially if doing so is or could be easily perceived as a character assassination.
Thanks again,
JMan