Gday Bob,
First a comment Steve made, slightly an underarm comment lol. Personally I would watch the ashes, but sadly if I blink the Australian Innings is over!
But the problem you have is the starter wedges are akin to using a hose with a clubhead attached to it - they are garbage and the worst clubs in the game, They are notoriously inconsistent and innacurate. Secondly the starters balls will not get any bite, regardless of the backspin you apply, especially with those wedges. Playing to an elevated green you will get a lot more roll out when the ball lands - like you would in real life.
Again the starters putter is neither precise or forgiving, but putting on this game is consistent usually.
It takes a lot of learning and certainly better clubs help massively, but even then takes a lot of practice.
Yes it is only a game and can only attempt to simulate real golf. The HD pictures are realistic but of course you have many limitations in this game than you do on the real course (especially stance, swing, grip which are always the same).
But it is by far the best golf game on the market, and is the hardest to master, but if if was too easy we would get bored quickly and leave.