WGTChampion:
60 foot putt, fluke or not, pretty impressive.
_CHAMPION
about as rare as a HIO, yes it is nice but it is more luck than skill...now if they drain 60 foot putts about 25% of the time then I would be impressed. but we know pretty much any putt over 50 feet is usually statistically less than 1% for most everyone on here. less than 1% is luck in my line of thinking even when it happens for me in my favor. realistically you are just lagging that putt close for a two putt which you would be happy to do 95% of the time.
From what I have gathered though, Clashes have never been about "skill." Just as the previous version could be manipulated the new system just changes that up a little, but players can still go out play countless rounds and simply try to make the shots that give you bonus points on...the overall score doesn't really matter. You can shoot 100 but if you manage to sink a long putt, make an approach shot (or pitch shot) from off the green, you could still easily outscore someone shooting 8 under par.
I am more impressed with someone shooting 8 under par with SOTW clubs, not really impressed by people that play round after round after round to score as many points as possible and earn as many bonus points as possible.
That said, the green's in regulation and the sand saves I believe are two areas that do reflect a clubs overall proficiency but points from those two can be easily offset...
Not trying to be critical of WGT or anyone else, just sharing an observation from my own perspective in my 1 year or so on WGT. Others have been around a lot longer and they may feel similar or differently...I commend WGT for at least attempting something new to change things up whether it sticks, I don't know.
I am not the expert though, just my observation.