EchoUK:This just shouldn't be allowed.....
I don't entirely disagree with you... or with
Infyniti: Some people haven't figured out yet how to change the level they compete at is one problem.
But here is the other thing. The first time... yes you can accidentally enter into the Rookie division. 2nd, 3rd time... it is more of an intentional effort of doing so.
WGT should at the very least force promotions if a player consistently wins, just as they do in coin rooms from one week to the next. Especially if you are finishing at the top of your division!
With mobile players -- who have access to 2 credit videos... and given many of the players who drop down are also playing 1000 credits a sleeve of golf balls.
The argument that they don't have the credits to spend in order to play a higher division, loses an awful lot of weight.
Yes the problems with glitches can be a factor for some. But if you are blowing 1000 credits on a sleeve of balls, risking 100 versus 10 to step up into the Veteran category isn't an issue of not having credits.
The people are trying to work the system and they don't even use the lower level balls they are winning. Whereas the ball in the expert category is reflective of a ball they would play.
-- Remember the Legends and above are playing off the back tees in Rookie! In Expert they are playing off easier forward tees, which they likely also know very well from playing red tee tournaments if they have a 52 average unless they are an elite player. Yes the competition gets tougher but the game with apparel gets easier and they have more looks at eagle than they would in Rookie.
WGT should not be allowing skilled players to slum it in Rookie... winning event after event. WGT forces promotions on better players in nearly every other aspect of the game. They should do so with showdowns as well.
Infyniti: But also The number of people willing to play for a 1000 credit buyin is dwindling. and there are several reasons why.
I also think you make some valid points in this regard... so I am not dismissing any of those.
The showdowns are a great idea for mobile players who have a preference of using their apparel but struggle without it when entering WGT events with their standard clubs. It is / was new, and offer some incentive for mobile players that they have never had the opportunity to play for... like ball prizes or credits.
Showdowns have presented as having some issues... Like many things... if it doesn't get fixed or worked out... participation will drop because the same people keep winning week after week and many people will just stop playing... happens in other areas of the game as well.