Robert1893:
@el3n1
You're correct that mobile players cannot save replays anymore. But in the past, I've just sent them a full description of what happened. And they always replied and took my word for what happened. No video documentation was required.
I will try this the next time even though I have in the past. I will also try to save a video replay as well. but they have not done so for me in the past, when I explained my situation in a particularly lengthy 9 hole coin match when we reached a somewhat short par 4 on Erin Hills. In that situation, while the green should be potentially reachable with a good wind, the wooden area, across the road/cart path on the far side of the hill which probably plays closer to 400Y is not reachable even with circus equipment sponsor apparel. I don't use an expensive ball on mobile so it wasn't as big a deal... but when that drive essentially flew well beyond what could be reasonably expected and far beyond the distance even for the driver, well something wasn't right. it wasn't an improper club selection and even a mishit would not have flown over 100y off line and nearly 400y from the tee. Made no sense whatsoever, cost me a ball and the match.
Another scenario, Olympic #1 we all know full BS allows you to go over and through the trees into the fairway. No sooner than I hit my tee shot my ball is declared OOB. I have never lost a ball on that hole hitting that shot prior to that. Then all of a sudden it is declared OOB and lost ball? Come on...
Robert1893:
I guess I just bristle a bit when users are so quick to ascribe ill motives (for example, greed) as the reason when it's probably just a software glitch that happened. Stuff like that happens all the time. In other words, I seriously doubt that any of us have never had a software glitch happen in other apps or programs that we use. That's just the way it is.
I agree tone, word use, and "emotional" responses can overshadow the underlying challenge. When a particular aspect of the software is designed to create "mishits" or puzzling outcomes (VEM), especially when it can result in lost ball... it walks a fine line between what can be simply one aspect of the game and a potentially "built in system" that forces "consumers" to spend more than they would otherwise. it is the latter that can bring members to use such words as greed.
In real golf we can retrieve our golf balls most of the time. It has literally been years since I had to actually buy a golf ball because I can replay and reuse the ones I have for years. Yes, we can play the courses for free but I believe there would be less angst if we paid to play a course and could retrieve better golf balls than how it is now. Yes, people would still complain but you can control how much you play...you can not always control when the game decides to take a ball from you forcing you to spend more if you choose to keep playing.
They simply determined there is more profit in charging for balls and "allowing" you to lose them than the other way around. As a result, this virtual game can be more expensive than playing real golf, depending of course on where you play and how much you are paying for green fees. But even twilight fees can often be half the cost in many places in hopes of getting more people on the course.
Robert1893:
And sometimes the issue is our own carelessness. I've lost more sleeves of balls due to not paying attention to what I'm doing than I ever have because of a "WTF shot" caused by WGT.
So have I and I can accept those easier because I know they are my mistakes. It is the other scenarios that seem to ruffle our/my feathers. : ) I too can alter my play and most of the time I do...I intentionally lay up to avoid hazards especially if I have a good ball because I know WGT or the software or coding can create a shot that isn't consistent for whatever reason even if I set everything correctly and calculate it properly. It just happens. And then there are those times, where I don't because I may have already used up all the hits on the ball and want to see if I can reach the par 5 in two even though water could be in play. Those are on me...
Maybe part of the problem is WGT rarely speaks for themselves. They leave some members to try and "speculate" as to their reasoning or motivations. Both sides may have valid points, but it is what can come across as "indifference" that those "motives" are then questioned and some people then apply harsher terms or definitions for what happens. We can't always "assume the worst" either, we can try to give the benefit of the doubt unless their actions make it harder to defend or support.