First of all, I'd have to say the WORST way to try and assess a course for architectural and other greatness is to play it in competition. Doing that your focus is to get the ball in the hole and that's it. Oh, it would beat not seeing a course at all, but not by much.
That being said, I also have to believe one can play a casual round and see all he needs to see, if that's his mindset. Just having clubs in hand does not shut off the eyes or the mind.
But getting back to Jordan's questions, well...
I would say MOST great courses that one sees on TV, or in pictures, or however, do only fully reveal themselves when actually walked or played. It's just very difficult to get a sense of a place until you see it in person.
The tougher question here is which courses only fully reveal themselves after playing them? That is, you walk them (either at a tournament or whatever), think you know them, but are surprised upon the actual playing?
This might actually be another sign of true greatness.
I am having a very hard time coming up with examples - because it's a small universe of courses that one would walk and not play (for me anyway).
I do think Pebble Beach fits. Walking it, especially during AT&T, you don't get close enough to see the greens... and even if you do, it's not until you play that you notice the subtle, maddening contours... Also you can look at some of those majestic shots to be faced all you want, but only playing them do they really strike your heart, so to speak.
GREAT questions.
TH