"For me anyway...I'm still trying to figure out what division makes sense for me. I only started playing Showdowns in December. Having been in a dead CC, playing majority coin games during my WGT existence, having my butt handed to me in the Tokyo room on a regular basis, and only having a 280 yd driver, I figured any tourneys are where I just lose credits for no reason.
Now I see a tourney where apparel helps even the field for me off the tee, with the only prize pool that includes golf balls (that I know of), and that maybe I'm not as mediocre as I always thought. So I'm trying to win balls mostly, and I have to compare which division gives the best payout while also feeling like I'm not taking advantage of the lax parameters.
I'd like to win enough credits to pay for a new driver...if I can ever earn enough XP to buy a good one. That seems all a bit out of reach for now though."
Drivers max out at 291 yards (level 102) so your driver at 280 yards isn't bad. Besides, driving is more about accuracy as opposed to distance. Also, if your are playing a lot of coin games, you can get apparel to increase your distance if you choose. If you are getting beat repeatedly in the coin rooms, I am not sure how you plan on earning enough credits to buy a new driver. The key to this game is wedges!
Another thing to consider is the apparel you have. Some have apparel for everything and have level up so they may still be able to out distance you in everything. I play a lot of non-apparel tournaments as well as coin games so I use minimum apparel, only adding 12 yards to my drive. This way it is a small adjustment when switching back and forth between apparel and non-apparel games.
I started playing in October 2022 and have made it to Legend and done pretty well. I recently signed up for the Veteran level in a showdown tournament and was able to make it to the elimination round. I shot -8 and finished 73rd and missed cut for final round. I have done ok in other veteran tournaments so it depends on the field.