as you well know Steve, I'm with you mate. Finally gave Tiger Woods on the XBOX 360 the push this year after the arcade 10 year old golf experience it's become even on the hardest difficulty. Since I've started here on Monday just gone, I've gotten myself up to level 32 pro just by playing every tournament I can and lots of ranked games. But the best way I've found is to play Alt Shot game as you get a fair amount of XP. Also, looks like you've done it now, but keep playing the better ball. The one you have is so much better than the free balls. Keep and eye out for the Dove balls also Steve as they are apparently free, although I've not seen one yet appear for me personally.
I'm still on the starter clubs but able to ding maybe 75% of my shots now with the slow meter. I'm waiting for level 40ish before I purchase any equipment, which I now need due to playing from longer tees on the pro level.
Regarding club distances, just get used to how far they roll out especially when pitching and chipping as you can save a ton of shots with good short game. Wind doesn't play nowhere near as much as Tiger Woods on the 360 steve so don't be fooled like I was for a while. Also, a little thing I do with the putting....I have some pieces of card cut to different lengths for the respective distances a putt goes on a particular green. Not every single foot, but like 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and so on. I use it to give myself a quick point of reference on the meter to avoid nasty 3 putts.
Lets get a game in soon mate.