MarchieB, When playing WGT Tournament events, such as the two depicted in your Quote above, I am reaping ALL of the Avatar Apparel Abilities provided by all five of the Apparels, Hat, Shirt, Pants, Glove, and Shoes.
For example, the Hat, the Shirt, the Pants, and the Glove, individually provide +1% XP each, that is an total of +4% XP and Dneirf is gaining more than 500 XP per round using Avatar Apparel Abilities alone.
When I start the WGT Tournament events, yes, the "shield with t-shirt crossed out" is indeed there and enabled, however, it most certainly DOES NOT represent "No Apparel" as I am reaping all of the Avatar Apparel Abilities!
The "shield with t-shirt crossed out" I believe represents that the Player does not yet have the ability to "Set Bonus" with Avatar Apparel Abilities.
To "Set Bonus" all five Apparels: Hat, Shirt, Pants, Shoes, and Glove, MUST ALL be of the SAME MAKE AND RARITY and ALL MEET THE MINIMUM LEVEL REQUIREMENTS.
My Apparel is all MAX but not all the same Rarity. Instead, it is an mixture of MAX Rare, MAX Common, and MAX Epic, therefore I can not "Set Bonus" but still reap the Apparel Abilities in ALL events.
The "Set Bonus" has something to do with gaining an 20% to 40% chance of reaping one hour of XP Boost if the Player wins the round or event.
And finally, putting has improved because my shoes provide more putting forgiveness, I can work the Basic Virtual Golf Ball better with my Irons because my Glove provides an slower Meter for the Irons along with more ability to hit the "Sweat Spot" of the 3 Wood, while at the same time the Shirt provides more 3 Wood Distance while the Hat and Pants are providing more Rough and Sand Surface Power.....whew, what an round!
God Bless, -Dneirf