Dear all NEW Legends (and those Tour Masters who are trying to reach the Legend Tier).
Well, I have learned that FACTS about criteria in various tiers are just not all that easy to find. And, all too often, information tends to sometimes turn out to be a rumor. You can ask other long time members about criteria, but WGT will tell you that getting information from members (like here from me in the WGT Forum) is not necessarily accurate. But, I have done a ton of research. I believe my information here is pretty accurate.
OK, here you go.
When a Tour Master does reach the Legend Tier, understand that you will be moved back to the (black tees - Legend Tees). Trust me, there is a huge difference hitting from the Legend Tees & the Tour Master's Tees. Just check out the differences in "distances" on every WGT course available. Many new Legends wish they were back at the Tour Master tier.
Also, when you reach Legend, your average is 61.00. If your first game as a Legend (9 holes) is a 33 (for example), your NEW average will immediately leap UP to 66.00. 33 x 2 = 66.00. If you post a game of 35, your new average will be 70.00. And, Good Luck getting your average back down anywhere near 60.00. 60.00 is what you need to reach the Tour Legend Tier.
But, wait, there's more! Once you reach the Legend Tier, you must play a minimum of (500 ranked rounds) as a Legend. No, you can't count all the games you have played since you joined WGT. You have to hit (500) rounds as a Legend. OK, once you have played and posted those (500) rounds, WGT stops your average from going up any further (called: saturation). NOW, you have to work your average down to 60.00 or just below, to reach Tour Legend - if that's a goal you have set for yourself.
I read a comment here in the WGT Forum last night (written by a Tour Legend). He said, he hit the required 500 rounds after he reached the Legend Tier. But, that it took him an additional 500 ranked rounds to finally reach the Tour Legend Tier.
Side note: It is my understanding that when we play the WGT Best of Par 3, Par 4 or Par 5 Hole courses, those (3) courses do NOT count towards your average - though, maybe, not 100% sure they count as "ranked rounds". I believe WGT created these (3) courses for FUN only. Also, WGT's CTTH games do NOT count towards your average, those games were created for fun only. And, on the WGT Best of Putting CTTH course, you do not get any credit for Hole In Ones on that course, only on all of the other CTTH courses.
I counted only 443 total Tour Legends here on WGT. And, it is my understanding there are over 2 million+ members - probably more. So, if any member has any misconceptions that reaching the Tour Legend tier is not incredibly difficult - uh, think again. Personally, I think it would be a lot easier, cheaper and less time consuming to climb Mount Everest than making it to the Tour Legend Tier! LOL. Seriously!
So, if you're at the Master or Tour Master tier, all I can say is, ENJOY yourself. You're in a very good place. Ask almost any Legend, they will tell you, it was a shock to have to play from those long Legend Tees, not to mention putting on Tournament speed greens. Though, in CC Tournaments, the playing conditions for ALL players is the same (wind speeds, green speeds, hole locations); However, if you are a Legend playing in a CC Tournament - you will be playing from the Legend's Tees. So, you better be on top of your game as you will be up against lower tier players who are playing a lot closer to the greens than you are!
I have to take my hat off to those members who reached the Tour Legend Tier - well done everyone! But, from my way of looking at all this, WGT is shooting themselves in the foot from a "marketing - profit" standpoint. For a vast majority of new Legends (including myself), suddenly, we are faced with this monumental task. I think many new Legends will just give up and move on - meaning, lost revenues for WGT. Just maybe the criteria as a Legend is too difficult? I mean, it's fine to move the goal posts further as we reach a new tier - but, when you can't even SEE the goal posts, you sort of lose the incentive. Where's the carrot? *smile* No, I'm not really complaining. Reaching Tour Legend should not be easy. But, having to hit 500 ranked rounds as a Legend, then, work your average down to 60.00 is pretty intimidating, even for the really talented players.
Well, I love this game here at WGT. And of course, I will continue to enjoy it. Always looking forward to that next special shot - chip or flop that goes in for a Birdie or Eagle or that long putt that I didn't think would drop. But now, my perspective on this game has now changed.
And, like most of you, I too am looking forward to the NEW golf courses that WGT is planning for this site. But, I have read in order for WGT to create just (1) new golf course for the WGT site, they must take over 300,000 photos and videos of real golf courses. That, they use GPS to make the WGT courses within 2 inches of accuracy compared with the real golf courses, which is pretty incredible. I can only imagine the costs and time necessary for WGT to create each new course.
I wish ALL new Legends the very best. But, be sure you understand what you're up against as your reach the LEGEND tier.
Regards,
JR