YankeeJim and All:
Terrific responses! I really appreciate it. Knowing that the VEM effect is real helps me feel good that I'm not crazy (in this particular way in any case). I guess it is true what they say: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they're not out to get you."
VEM seems like a neat program, but it still bugs me that unpredictability increases as skills, familiarity with the courses and equipment improves. I think the WGT folks should consider changing other variables to deal with player boredom and to increase realism related to scoring, such as:
Pin placements (more variables)
Wind conditions (more variables)
Weather variables (rain conditions or dampness of course, fairway and green hardness, air temperature)
More stroke play options (# of courses available in this format - thanks for St. Andrews front 9 BTW!)
Also, letting players choose the side of the tee box they want to tee off from makes a lot of difference in angle of attack for shaping shots and safety of ball flight.
All these variables would imitate the realism of actual golf, and would give greater indication of relative skill levels and handicaps (and reward good course management) for all players. The VEM system seems too arbitrary and actually may be counterproductive, if the real reason for its use is to counteract player boredom. I personally am more motivated when good effort and precision works out for me (a chip in from the rough, a well placed bunker shot, or a long bending putt give me greater satisfaction and drive to continue to play than does a perfectly executed swing that crashes into the lip of a bunker 40 yards short of where the shot was targeted).
I'd hate to think that the only way to combat the VEM may appear to be switching out new clubs frequently to "reset the VEM meter". Or to play so much that you can better predict the VEM shot-killing variables and incorporate them into you game (i.e.: "okay, so VEM doesn't let me hit my hybrid accurately on this hole, so I'll use a knockdown 3 iron that seems to inexplicably be the club the program desires..." or "gee, I've got to hit this putt a lot softer than the slope and distance indicate to cheat the VEM" , or "I need to actually hit a purposeful fade on this drive to get decent distance", etc.,)
I guess what I'm saying is that there may be other options that are much less arbitrary or that at least mirror the variables of real golf.