I really didn't want to read through all 10 pages of this thread so this may already have been mentioned.
Isn't a lot of golf mental? If I feel more confident hitting a new 460 cc driver vs. a older 320 cc driver, or even better a persimmon head driver, won't I hit it at lease "better" than the older drivers. Another example, if I stand over a 30' putt with a Scotty Cameron vs. a $10 stick I bought at Walmart, won't I strike that putt with more confidence with the Scotty Cameron? From my personal experience I have found that my confidence level has increased with better equipment.
Another issue I have with your thread is your audience (this forum). This is a golf enthusiast forum, most members here are not your typical weekend duffer, most are hard-core golf enthusiasts who live and breathe golf. We are club-ho's, we watch the golf-channel more than any other channel, we think that a new driver, or new irons are going to get us another 10 yards, or a few feet closer to the pin. Now the 10 more yards may only put us at a 240 yard drive, but if that new $100 shaft will get us there than so be it.
Just my $.02.