It's frustrating at the start but everyone has been there and it does get better. I signed up, tried a few rounds, figured this was some sort of torture site and didn't bother signing in again for a few weeks. Then one day I thought I'd give it another go and I've been hooked ever since.
The low level gear and balls aren't going to let you fire a ball at the flag and stop quickly, you need expensive gear to do that. Sorry, but that's the way it is. You can do surveys to earn credits and some of the offers of credits when you buy online goods are pretty sweet. Or there's good old PayPal, just try to stop yourself buying every new club you unlock, it's very tempting when you think there's something that's going to magically improve your game. About 90% of the gear you can buy won't do that, one thing that will help you a lot is a 64° wedge.
Early on you'll find St. Andrews and Kiawah the easiest to play. Just be sure to play all the courses as you progress, you'll regret it one day if you don't and find yourself having to play Oakmont with very little experience of it.
Read the forums when you have time, there is a huge amount of help and info here. A lot of crap as well but you'll soon learn what's worth reading and what isn't. Don't be afraid to ask something that you haven't been able to find an answer to, most people here will give you honest and real help.
And finally, have fun.