You do realize that hasn't been the mode for career progression for several releases, right? You earn XP by playing the game and accomplishing things on the course. As your golfer gains experience you can apply that to different areas of your game.
I like that the not everyone hits the exact same distance, and that learning to play in a way that minimizes your weakness and exploits your strengths is actually fun, forcing you to approach holes in a different ways. By the same token, this applies to the pro golfers included, who also play differently.
Lining up with a generic golfer and whacking away with the same generic clubs and skills was great in the days of Links. But I want a lot more out of my game than user made courses that pale in comparison to the real courses offered in the TW series.
No one is saying TGC is a bad game. But it has become common in this forum to call out TW players as cheesing arcade loving kids that don't appreciate the strategic nature of the game. And that just isn't the way everyone plays the game. There were plenty of great guys to play with in online tournaments that used more sim settings.
And if someone does want to add the assists and boosts because they think it is more fun to just play than to spend time practicing, it's not bad that the game caters to them, too. What I liked most about the TW series is that there was a lot do. The mini games, career mode, using the pros in exhibition, online play and tournaments, including playing against real life scores on the same course that the pros were playing that weekend, and even customizing my golfer all make it a fun package. I do wish they would add the use of Pros in season play instead of just building up your own character.
I don't think there is wrong with someone asking if TGC offers something that they enjoyed in another game.