Great post JS and IMHO, correct on every front.
The one thing I will add is to prevent complaints about the level 94 Pro from getting top equipment on a free weekend (or at any time) allow all rental clubs to be used in practice mode only. After all the idea is to work out how they work for you, not how many credits you can win in tournys or skins etc..
Sadly all the above has been raised many times, so will probably fall upon deaf ears as usual and as I said - you are 100% correct in your summation. Will it put more cash in the coffers - probably not but it may be enough to entice many players to try and then upgrade who would otherwise never pay the exorbitant fees we have now, and also stop those bad purchases that we all make - but for some that bad experience is enough for them to quit.