jayw4862:
A player could use all of the calculations and programs available, but without the precise "execution" of the shot or putt, those calculations mean nothing.
I concur. I'd like to add to this important point.
IMO There are 2 basic elements to this game germane to this topic:
1. having the calculations of aim & power to accurately get near or in the hole
2. and, as mentioned, the execution of the shot.
(I speak a lot about that topic (2) in the forums, like understanding the meter, the nature of equipment, CPU issues, VEM, working the dynamics of the ding and off-ding, etc.)
Now, I have Kat's cal, and a few others. (thank you, all, I hope to show my appreciation soon) I usually just use the tool to practice and to learn about physics. (which has been suggested many times)
But, be aware, that knowing the correct calculation is an interesting challenge. I'm blabbing as usual so let me put it in a form of a question-
Let say you're using the calculator and you have it calibrated very accurately, then you set the aim and power as displayed, you pull back the powerbar to the correct power increment and you get ready to swing -
Will the game become so easy that you simply release and hit and you're set up for a 4 foot putt, approximately ??"
In my experience, no. It usually becomes more challenging. In fact, from my reading of how this complex WGT game works, as soon as you set the aim & set the power, the computer almost completely 'knows' where the ball will land, except for the variable of your last click. (club/ball precision rating circles come into play now, of course)
What I'm supposing is that if you have the correct aim, and power, the VEM knows that if you ding the shot it will be very close, so I ask, "Will the powerbar or execution become a challenge?"
From my tests, yes, (depending on skill level) it will become a great challenge if you have many persistent, accurate calculations. (be it from a machine or from your brain alone!)
'execution challenge' = sometimes referred to as other 'problems' in the forums.
This is clearly stated a few ways in the programming of the game:
"Virtual equipment automatically adapts to reflect changes in user skill level and keeps users challenged as their skill level improves. As a result, users are less likely to lose interest in a computer game."
Note: see it doesn't say "as skill improves it all becomes so simple and you shoot a great game, all birdies and eagles, etc."
It says the opposite.
Depending on the skill level of the player you can expect challenging changes in variables of your gameplay, again, clearly admitted in other written areas of the game's programming, if you have read it.
Kat's cal is a definite, modifiable tool, IMO, and it has been given out to many players. Now, have they all sky rocketed to legend or higher, or has their gameplay become routine and simplified??
[rhetorical, I have the answer, I just want to be thought provoking]
"Things are tough all over"
edit:
to simply add to subsequent posts, some my misconstrue my research as 'blaming VEM for your own bad skills' but yes, as you say, it can work both ways and my incorrect methods and calculations have succeeded because of VEM as well. (which I have noted in past forum posts)
I am usually the type who doesn't like a game with small challenge, I welcome the increase in difficulty recently spoke of in the forums, perhaps because I play with all free credits.
That why I am a proponent in the 'pro VEM thread'