alosso:
If it's not technical issues with meter / connection / CPU load ..., it may also be VEM. This feature is designed to make the game harder when you are good at it.
This is basically what I also observed, and like a few others, I had made a post about 'a group of friends' and meter personalities, etc. Some confused it w/ CPU/connection load etc.
(BTW I know CPU load on my end, when I stream I play at 100%, fairly well, sometimes)
But from what I read from the VEM programming, when it's not helping you sink a putt you screwed up, it may -
"change variables representing distribution curves, thresholds, sweet spot..... the [graphical] representation can be modified to provide an indication of such to the user. "
So, what I'm reading is that the shot may be affected then the meter changed, so then you say 'Oh, a dinged pitch would have went in' but the VEM changed the sweet spot and thus changed the meter, say, to post-ding to indicate. This is where you can learn what works from observation.
But then the forums are full of people who cry 'FIX THE METER' when in many cases, the meter is fine! The VEM changed a variable and modified the [graphical] representation to provide an indication of such to the user.
Now, I think WGT might have recently adjusted the latter part above so no meter is changed but THE SHOT variables still are, and now people are saying "Why does my dinged shot veer off course, what are the circles of precision, the VEM is cranked up or broken, the clubs stink, the wind is wrong?" etc. etc. etc. on and on.
(but now there will be less complaining about the meter! LOL)
So, perhaps you will see a great ding go WTF. Maybe a great putt of mine roll over the hole or J curve on a flat green, stop short etc. and the meter will no longer be modified while the shot was.
I partly adopt alosso concern, wisdom yet with understanding that that game is as is, and a lot of times IT AIN'T BROKE. I'll try to advance my goals but I see the game mostly sets the pace, applies the kibosh, and generally regulates the speed of progress. I can't speak for others.
We understand that 'WGT is a business', yes, but along with that, it's a complex game with the allure of challenge.
"The game lends itself to fantasies about our abilities." - Peter Alliss