I'm afraid I have some issues with the new system as well.
QUITTING
As I understood the changes, the experience points was to encourage players not to disconnect but from my point of view, more players are disconnecting than ever before. It is becoming increasingly difficult to complete a multi-player round and not only because one player or more has disconnected.
More often than not, as result of a disconnection the site goes into melt down and the game freezes leaving the remaining players frustrated and having their game ruined.
GREEN SPEEDS
Then there's the issue of introducing Tournament Speed into multi-player games, this one I don't understand at all. Slow, fast and very fast providing they are changed on a regular basis offer sufficient challenge without the introduction of the mythical 'Tournament Speed.'
With slow, fast and very fast greens, no matter what the distance I can usually arrive very close to the pin but with Tournament speed... it's a complete mystery.
With tournament speed it usually takes me one or two holes to determine what power I need to reach the hole. Once I've done that I'm generally close to the pin again until.... on other holes, for no obvious reason, the ball falters long before the hole or goes whipping past it like an express train.
So just what is Tournament speed and why on earth apply it to multi player games when its sudden introduction is causing more people to quit.
WIND
Just after the introduction of the changes I played with a group on the back 9 of Kiawah.
On the 10, 11. 12 & 13 there was a full on headwind on each hole, how is this possible on any golf course?
LOADING
I am one of those players that weekly clears my 'Flash' cache, along with clearing out spy-ware and temporary files to ensure my computer is fast and responsive to the game.
I realise that all computers are not as fast and properly maintained as mine but I'm patient while others load. What does annoy me... is that some way into the game a lot of poor souls fail to load and this is more common than WGT would think. The result of course is another failed game.
THE SWING METER
This is one of the big issues of the game, a stalling meter or normal meter increasing to light speed does much to mar the enjoyment of the game.
I've become quite adept at picking up the signs that it's going to happen and let the shot go by but I still get caught out.
To be perfectly honest I believe both the site and the players have accepted this as a standard because the issue has been going on for so long.
Well, it's not OK. The swing meter is an essential part of the game and the tool which we use most. I personally believe this issue should be addressed once and for all to enhance our enjoyment of the game.
WGT
Please don't think I'm ungrateful for the game or all the hard work you put into it.
I had to give up the real game 25 years ago because I developed a disability in my hands which prevented me holding a club. This game is the next best thing and one that I play daily during my retirement.
Thank you for that WGT.
Chips