It's pretty clear by now how the game changed under the new level system. Back in the day, you could improve your game mostly by purchasing new clubs. There was a variety of different balls with different attributes, but your biggest progress leaps came from buying new and better clubs.
Now your biggest advances come from buying new and better balls which cost just about as much as the real thing. You don't need to be a Wall Street banker to figure out the logic. Balls are an ongoing sales item, clubs are a one time purchase.
And WGT's original commitment that the best equipment would be available only to those who played the most and levelled up, was completely shattered when the new high spin, longer distance Callaway balls came along and were made available to the casual player.
It's all about the money now. I'm not judging it, just saying, that's the way it is.