I have to say that I personally think SOTW Clash was a good idea in theory and does create more of a level "playing" field. The lower tier players, who don't have the "best" clubs will participate more than they usually would as they're not trying to compete against people with the "top" clubs who would normally score a lot better. Even though the end results come down to the quantity of members in each club taking part, rather than the quality of the scores, the bonus's can make a difference to winning or losing. A Pro tier player may not have the best round but could still hole a monstrous putt and gain 300 points for their club. Unfortunately, the connection problems have ruined this Clash.
I agree that playing with SOTW does make you think differently about certain shots as some won't stop on a dime, as they do with your decent clubs, but that does reveal people's strengths & weaknesses. I'm not saying I'm the best player on here, far from it, but I've managed quite a few rounds under par, -6 being my best. I've actually found the clubs ok myself.
I don't see how having SOTW Clash generates less money for WGT, unless people are referring to less people playing. Yes, there probably have been less playing, but probably because of the problems that we all encountered. I know that some of my members haven't played in this Clash, but only because of the connection problems that they encounter WHENEVER they play ANY tournament using SOTW. I also thought that a lot of people on here moaned about how much money they were making out of everyone and getting nothing or very little back! It doesn't cost any more than it would if you played club tournaments with your normal ball to play Clashes if you only use your free passes and normal ball.
If we didn't have the connection problem, would people have moaned so much??? I doubt it very much, but they would have moaned about something else then, like playing the same courses, having to use the same clubs etc. Therefore, I take my hat off to WGT from trying something new and trying to make it a more level "playing" field. As long as the connection problem is now sorted once & for all, I would happily welcome another SOTW Clash. Good job guys...eventually :-)
Mark