Carlyle - interesting stuff, regarding dunes, their formation and particularly the mathematical formula for verification of proper form. (Is this formula widely available-because it certainly doesn't appear to be widely known or implemented...)
Programs which teach landscape designers about the origins and conditions which create natural forms certainly seem like interesting ones.
To me, it seems like modern golf courses seem more like a distinct style of garden than an imitation of anything natural. (Garden Styles: Persian, Japanese, Formal English, Italian, Cottage Style....Golf.)
Just think about how they look from the air. They have this distinct, smooth, green, bumpy-bubbly look with sand craters.
The Old Course doesn't look that way at all...which is nice.