kavvz:People then might ask then why do you use that 81 TM? The answer is easy...it's the one that works best for me in that it's what I'm willing to spend CR's on, and I know what it'll do with my equipment of choice.
It (l81 ball, like the L61) also plays qualitatively better across all courses and wind and green speeds than lower end balls like the Srixon and L33 Cally, along with a slower meter. If it didn't play better in heavy winds and longer courses like EH and CB, then there would be far less reason to spend more credits, double actually, than what you could be spending if the lower end balls played just as competitively in heavy winds and more challenging courses (ie longer).
Even small factors that can save even 1 stroke can make a huge difference in the competitive events, where one or two shots over several rounds can make the difference. Unless of course you can putt lights out every time, then your putting can offset some of the shortcomings of the balls because you are not as concerned with your proximity to pin average.
This doesn't mean you are not making a fair generalized comment, but it just seems to me you may be oversimplifying it a little. This game can be about "very small edges" that can make even a small difference over the course of a round that give you more looks at birdie and in turn increasing your odds or chances of going low even if it is only 1 shot over 9 holes or 2 over 18… they all make a difference... however small it can be what starts to separate players at the top... when they are all using essentially the same equipment... they start looking for the next small edge that may get them one stroke lower and for some that is with the ball they choose... but I rarely see any of them doing that with a ball less than 450 credits. And sometimes, they change which ball they use based on the course and conditions for that event. That suggest the ball can make a difference, especially on certain courses.