In my model tiering down would mean you would have to use the gear to the tier you tier too, and would not be able to cheese wins by gaining a gear advantage.
Say the tier par average for Pro is 67-70
and say the Amatuer par average is 70-72
I am in Pro but my average falls to a 70 I fall down to Ametuer and now can not use my Pro tier LOCKED clubs because I am now in Amatuer.
Now to make things fun as an Amatuer I can willfully play with Pro/Master/Legends by choice but a Master/Legend can not willfully play against me as they would be locked out of the lower tier courses (unless they de tier of corse). However I must play them with the Gear Tier I am currently locked at so I am willingly accepting a more difficult game, and not forced to play against people that I have a clear dis-advantage to.
Anyway, this game however fun it is when playing against the same skilled players when they are at the same level is negated every time I am forced to play a person that can 1 hit a Par 4 green. It is negated when playing people that are favored by the algorithm just because they have more money to spend. Finaly it is negated when watching the so called pros that are accepted as such even thou they use outside programs to insure a specific outcome which btw is the deffinition of a cheat, lol. I would rather play a game that is based on the persons skill than a persons wallet or another program which is where this game is firmly set into.
It is a shame really even thou the grafix are 3rd rate, and the camera angles are trash, and the avatars look like paperdoll cut outs placed ontop of a picture. I at times when playing againts people in my level/skill range is highly enjoyable.