Craig, I agree with your response. I do believe that push-up greens are the way to go. However, there are some concepts which need to be put into place. First, there needs to be sufficient drainage, a good topdressing program, and enough air movement. If one puts those concepts into play on a push-up green, it will be a great putting surface. I know of superintendents who have put these practices into action. Also, the kind of bentgrass who one has, and if one wants to deal with Poa annua. The drawbacks of Poa; are anthracnose, insect damage, and stressing out the leaf blade of the turf. So one has to think about what they want, when it comes to a greens construction.
California greens are made with a pure sand root zone above the subsoil and a drainage system of pipe surrounded by gravel. Again, the sand, gravel and construction is set to specifications. The advantage of the California green is its cost, approximately half that of the USGA green. They also do not suffer the compaction and drainage problems of soil-based greens. These greens can be difficult to grow-in because fertility is difficult to manage in the sand root zone.
Chris