tiffer67:Pangaea, you make a valid point in some respects. However I think you are forgetting that most legends have invested heavily in this game, on numerous occasions, in buying new clubs to assist in making the length easier to cope with. In all likelihood we will have to invest further in new clubs to make the majority of us even remotely competitive. Given the sharp increase in cost of the recent additions to the range of clubs, it is no wonder a lot of us are mighty pissed off at this possibility.
Don't get me wrong, I understand why some are upset. It's quite a gap to close to be moved back 30-60 yards (based on the few holes I checked). Particularly not being able to reach the fairway on some holes isn't the way it should be. I just think the howling is getting a bit over the top. I still see many legends do very well in tournaments and ready goes, and not being able to reach all Par 4s in two, or having to get to the green with long irons or even woods is not something only legends have to endure.
I don't write notes (not yet anyway) so not sure exactly which holes it is, but there are some Par 4s on for example Bethpage where I must approach with the wood, and only sometimes can get there. On others I can easily find the front-green rough with a 200 yards (maxed 3i for me) approach shot. In no way, shape or form do (Tour) Pros have a birdie opportunity on each hole. That's not how it should be either. As mentioned somewhere else, Tiger Woods had a 68 average in his best years. But here the best averages are about 10 shots better. If the site wants to be realistic, it just can't live with averages that low.
I also think this change has made it tougher for sandbaggers - at least new sandbaggers. Sure, they can still rip it up in the lower tiers with the starter clubs, like the well-publicised cheater if he stopped sandbagging. But now they have to play for a very long time before they can get the good clubs (after the sale ends), so they probably can't compete very well in the Pro and Master tiers. The problem will still be current sandbaggers who already have the best clubs. But unless WGT do something (more) about how they count averages and move people into tiers, that problem won't be rectified.