I jumped into this thread late because I wasn't with this particular group (much to my disappointment). But, I do know Tobacco Road and it is among my all time favorites.
I didn't read all the threads, but I think Brad Tufts, Mike Dugger and Huck have it right on their points.
What probably hasn't been thought of enough is the intentions of the developers (the Stewarts) and the architect and his crew concerning the vision thing.
I think the Stewarts picked and supported Mike Strantz in his radical ideas about the design of this course to their credit and tribute to Strantz's vision for a visually intimidating, thrilling yet playable golf course for the type of clientele that would for the most part be vacation resort types. Tobacco Road has its greatest effect on those infrequent players, and hightens the thrill factor because most players are mid to high handicaps and don't see the sort of things, or imagine or plan their shots to the wise and skilled level that the low handi good players do. But, when those mid and higher cappers finish playing, they "realise" that they left some shots out there that they should have made, and can't wait to have another go. The design leaves strong imagery in your mind and beckens you to try again because you "know" you can do it.
Thus, it is an easy course, or not so terribly difficult course for those good players. But, not too easy. I think most good players would say they enjoyed their round at Tobbaco Road greatly, perhaps because the played well and scored low and weren't thrown off by the visuals. I would be thrilled too if I could go out and shoot 2-4 shots below my handicap level, even on a first or second time playing the course. A scratch having a 68-70 shot day on a course that can jump up and burn them on one or two loose shots and cause a big number on almost any hole, can hardly pooh pooh the experience and say it was boring or not enjoyable, it seems to me.
I as a mid capper, feel fairly confident that if I played there often as a local, I would probably do quite well once one learns to match the risk rewards to your playing ability and set the visual stuff aside.
Bill, don't you think that missing the carry on 2 by a half yard was the sort of thing that you know if you play it next time, and just make a nice easy swing, you will easily carry it? I'm pretty sure you won't lay up down the right bail out strip the next time you play there either.
That is the thing about the course. It probably becomes enjoyably easier, once you get comfortable and familiar. You still have challenging shots that are going to bite you if you miss, but you can make almost every one of them by just playing within yourself and not overreach. 18 carry off the tee is the greatest example of this. You do need to play the correct tee there. Bill, I know you can make that carry from the discs, and more so than #2, you will need to gut it out and concentrate on that last hole. But, again, that is the real fun of the course Strantz has left for us.
I think that Forrest Fezler and Mike Strantz really hit a high note of collaboration in this design, and gave the developers exactly what they were looking for based on the clientele they knew would be their market.
They only got caught on one negative design aspect in my opinion. That is the longish walk from 14 to 15. But, I got my wide load around it walking-carrying. So, it ain't that bad...