I have found that 12 is the only tiger to give me a challenge since I first got tiger 09.
Golf is about placing your ball not about hitting it at 125% powers with huge spin (put on after the fact) to allow you to shoot under par. And with Tiger 12 once you go to tour Pro, it auto turns off post hit spin and power up. It actually plays like a round of golf. Well putting it to amateur you still get to power up ever shot and putt preview your heart away. Amateur does not have a focus bar, its tiger 10 all over again.
Big Money, I agree shoes do affect the game but not as much as your shaft, grip, club heads and glove. But if you give shoes a stat then I guess your back to having sunglasses with a stat as well. And as far as I see you can already get a total of +20 for all your stats once you max out and get all the items open.
I would also say Tiger 12 is the most commercial of the series. You are constantly getting new gear, all from pro golf companies and seeing that companies web address when you unlock said item.
for those coming back to the game the big pain will be putting. God did I hate the putting when I started but now I am liking it.