The original question was...
pdb1: Had ever or would ever calculate a modern figure that would represent just how much it costs the members these days for a fully active , hard core , serious , sky's the limit , deep pocketed 250 member CC to try and stay in the top 5 .
The answer is: A 250 member CC who's members all play every day and use their free CC pass to play one hole and get their CDP bonus needs to spend ZERO credits and ZERO dollars to stay in the top 5.
I can get close to 900 XPs for playing one Par 3 hole for a CDP bonus, I just got 897 tonite. If all 250 members did that and used the free pass that's 225,000 XPS for the CC each day. And that oughta put it in the Top 5.
(And one can use the free ball or a free sponsor ball for the one hole, no cost there)
As Baggs pointed out, members of the Top 5 CCs play everyday so all they need is the discipline to use their free CC pass for the CDP bonus.
And if 11% of them buy passes it doesn't mean it was out-of-pocket $$, many earn credits watching videos or taking surveys.
But if does mean buying credits using a credit card, so what! I don't begrudge WGT revenue. They need it to keep the site, which I enjoy, open.