srellim234: If they were really trying to mimic real life golf balls, though, durability would be greater. I think the reason it's where it's at is a compromise between real life and the financial welfare of the company.
To me, it's not a compromise but a vague analogy. I agree to alberich, there's no need for "realism" here, and the balls don't wear out like real balls do. They have but a lifetime counter which denotes the limitation of the software license to use them.
I have long stopped to worry about that. To me, the balls (including the losses in water and OOB) are a steady entry fee to the game, allowing about 10 nine hole games per sleeve of 2.5 durability. As a side note, I'm happy that each of us may decide about it by buying cheap or expensive balls, or play with the freebees.