"Given the range of options that a missed shot greenside could encompass with such a hazrd, could it therefore be overused?"
Mark:
I guess anything could be overused in architecture but I sure do agree with Doak that short grass as a hazard is a wonderful thing. Primarily because there are so many things one can do on it for shots and the more available shot options offered in architecture the more interesting it gets. Short grass around greens is also a very "democratic" feature in my mind because the options from it are numerous and requiring of not strength but imagination because of that. Who knows, the little old lady could have as much "imagination" this way as Tiger Woods!
![Wink ;)](http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
But we certainly know she can't driver the ball 317 yards.
![Wink ;)](http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
"Would there be an ideal blend between short grass and other hazards, whether on the same hole or overall?"
Sure, but I certainly wouldn't try to standardize something like that into some percentage formula in architecture.
"Lastly, from a purely working perspective,how much elevation change/undulation does a site need to have for it to work?"
I think this is critical to short grass as a hazard. A variety of anything and everything would seem best to me---some flat, some subtley undulating, and some quite contoured but all and all the last two are more interesting and fun for the shot at hand, in my opinion.
Obviously Tom Doak likes this feature and there sure is plenty of it at the new Sebonack. One of the reasons Doak may like this feature so much is he clearly has a good "eye" for it (reading the ground in play) and he seems to be very good at the shots himself, particularly putting them. There's no question it's something he likes to do as he goes around one of his courses. I think Bill Coore does too. I gave him my putter and a couple of balls when we had the get-together at Hidden Creek and he seemed to have a great time putting the balls from off the green as he walked around the entire course.