Also take a look at the balls you are using. You can get some decent balls in teh WGT line. The WGT G12-S, at 64 credits, is a decent ball and will be an improvement over the starter balls you are using now. The WGT GI-SD will be even better. One more thing that impacts the balls ability to stop on the green is the loft of the club you are hitting into the green. Elevation and slope of the green will also have a HUGE impact on it.
No question about it, if you want to score well on this game you can and will regardless of your equipment choices, but having the better equipment sure does make it a lot easier to do so. You are really just getting started and as you will see, you can spend a lot of money trying clubs out. Use the rental option before you buy and do so only when you have a lot of time to really evaluate the clubs you rent. DON'T buy new balls you haven't used before and rent a club at the same time, you won't really know what impacted your playing the most, the ball or the club. If you rent a club try it out with the balls you have been playing before you make a buying decision.