Decided that the previous Nike thread was wayyy too off topic to generate anymore legit discussion, so I decided to repost in a new thread.
Basically, I have no problem, none whatsoever, with WGT charging 4.50 or whatever amount they want to for a ball. For one thing, I'm not required to pay that price unless I want that ball, and I think that the outrage is coming for a couple of reasons:
1) People have multiple (and contradictory) reasons for wanting to play well. On the one hand, many say that they want to play simply for enjoyment. If you're playing for enjoyment, then someone else's skill level or equipment should have NO bearing on your level of fun. At the same time, these players want to play at a very high level, which while it is enjoyable, doesn't necessarily equate to "fun". It means work, lots of work, and those that put in the time typically see improved results. They're not playing solely for "fun", and that's fine.
2) People perceive WGT as a "beatable" game, which its not. This isn't like a video game where you finish it and "win". Its a day after day learning experience, which ironically is very much like REAL golf. If you perceive it as beatable, you'll put the focus on beating the other players (winning credits from them, etc), and in that event, it does/could become a very frustrating arms race to the top. In reality, the emphasis should be placed on beating the course, which you can do relative to your own skill level with ANY equipment. Once you've chosen the price point that works for you, you can play with the appropriate gear and improve from there.
Dont kid yourself............as long as there are customers willing to pay for a given ball, WGT will sell it. Whether those customers are the few with a stockpile of credits or the others willing to invest their $$$ in that ball, selling the product is the bottom line.
Rather than be angry about it or threaten to quit playing (which doesn't matter, by the way, because new customers will always come along to fill your shoes), here are some ideas:
1) Decide on a budget that works for you (and your skill level), and stick to it. If that budget allows you to buy moderate clubs and a GI-Whatever ball, then so be it. That's your spot if that's what your budget allows.
2) Recognize that if you're on a limited budget, you probably don't have the funds OR the skills to play against the best players in RGs anyhow, so it shouldn't be an issue.
3) Take the surveys/watch videos every day. If you play Alt Shot games, do it in between shots to kill the time. You can easily earn 20 credits per day this route, which comes out to $73 FOR FREE over a year. Go back to your budget in Step 1 and see how big of a help $73 will be to you. For me, for example, it means about 85 "free" Callaway balls per year, just for watching videos. Thanks, WGT!
4) Enjoy the game with people you like. If you're doing that, there's nothing left to complain about.