Meaning when evaluating the age old arguements such as "if Pebble beach weren't located on the Pacific Ocean",do you consider the ocean (and the housing) to be part of the course-or the setting?
Or when evaluating recent massive tree clearing at Shinnecock or NGLA do you say the course was altered,or the setting?
If trees are cleared to open a stunning vista,have you changed the course or the setting?And the setting only arguement may not fly if your opponent hits his ball 80 yards offline into the new opening
Perhaps if it's hard to figure out where the course ends and the setting begins,the architect(and subsequently the superintendant) has done his job.