@Stone: Interesting post.
One thing that I think is frustrating for some as it pertains to difficulty levels is that not everyone will be able to play well at the most challenging levels of a game (or sport...or anything in life really). Some people are just going to be better at certain things....always...no matter how much some practice. We humans are all just different in what we excel at (or not).
May I ask where you've seen or felt condescension from Tour Pro players? Perhaps you could link to some comments that showcase what you mean? (I play TP, full disclosure).
I can't say I've ever really seen that sort of commentary. I think it's usually just a desire from TP players to mostly only play with others on TP so that things are equal and as competitive as possible around the same points of challenge and difficulty.
I understand that we all cannot play at the top level, I really do. I'm not advocating a gold star for everyone. I played Football and ran Track in High School for years. We went to the State semi's twice but never made the State Championship game because the other teams were better. We competed just as fiercely in track and I was on the mile relay team. My best quarter mile time was posted during the County Championships, I believe it was a 53 which beat my personal record by 6 seconds and we ended up winning that race. When I got the baton in leg 3 the leader was about 10 yards ahead of me. I had no business passing him but I did it on the back stretch with a lot of grit and determination. I'm 5'7' with short legs not an ideal physique for the quarter mile. It also helped that it was my senior year and Ii had worked very hard to get to that level. The anchor leg buried the competition to bring home the win for that event. I think we ended up placing second overall in the competion. That's personally one of my proudest moments in sports. All that so you can understand that I understand competition.
What I am saying is that the developer is in control of how difficult this game can be and managing that difficulty at the Top Level is more of a business decision than a real test of competitiveness in real world conditions. At some point they have to balance the game for maximum retention and that means keeping some of the Top players who can be great ambassadors for the game happy but only so far at the expense of the vast majority of the general public.
I'm not going to call anyone out on a vague impression or possibly my own misconceptions but I will point you to this post and if you carefully read the reactions after the post you might get an inkling of what I am talking about. It comes from one of the NAP Tournament threads. No one is specifically being condescending but the reactions to the event going Pro are interesting to note. I understand that some of these players might just be notifying the administrators of the event what they will be doing. However you will note, I played all events prior with little mention about the difficulty level other than it was not my regular difficulty level. I played them all at Tour Pro and then as soon as someone mentions Pro level almost all the Top Tour Pro players are out. Now your going to argue that that is because you want to make sure everyone is on the same playing field. I'll get to that later.
The point is, I was willing to try it at the Tour Pro level but when it gets changed quite a few Tour Pro players could not condescend to drop down to that level of play while I was willing to give it a go at their level. You will also note and here is where it gets really interesting; My post was simply about my inability to play at that level both competitively and enjoyably. That is why I was bowing out. A Tour Pro player would have a hard time convincing me that the reverse is true. But as soon as the event organizer says "boo", a fair amount of players are raring to drop out.
I quote you; "I think it's usually just a desire from TP players to mostly only play with others on TP so that things are equal and as competitive as possible around the same points of challenge and difficulty."
This to me is a "Straw Man Argument". I'll concede the part about the same points of challenge and difficulty as they are specific to a difficulty level. Basically this passage about points of difficulty is a preference of play and has nothing to do with a level playing field. Are you saying that if you drop down to Pro level I can somehow take advantage of you even though you play much better than me at Tour Pro? If the event is set at Pro we all play at Pro. If anything playing at this level should be easier for the Tour Pro. The only advantage the Pro player gets is the ability to even compete. Essentially, leveling the playing field. Are you saying that another Tour Pro level player has the advantage if you BOTH drop down to Pro? I do not expect you to see it all my way but that is the way I see it and that is some of what I am alluding to when I say that I perceive an underlying level of condescension from some Tour Pro players attitudes as reflected through the forum.
Basically, from my point of view, your arguing against something that is not event there when arguing that the only way the game can be level, in your mind, is if we all play Tour Pro. Or at the very least that I play at Tour Pro when playing you or you will have nothing to do with it. That's your right, but with all due respect that is the essence of condescension.
Don't get to caught up in the negative connotations of the word condescend as it is a natural social condition that occurs sometimes inadvertently. It is also relies heavily on perception. If I perceive it, it's up to you to validate or dismiss that perception. You'll have to do your own soul searching, if you were inclined to do so, in order to answer that question for yourself. I can at times come off as condescending and that is a valid observation from time to time.
Again I apologize to Ted_Ball. I'll reserve any further speculation or observations about difficulty and player relations for elsewhere.
I just said I hadn't found a swing I liked and could play with any consistency 
