Pat,
On most courses, we may do a conceptual landscape plan, but there are no funds to plant immediately. Based on the region, we may show masses of trees, suggest spacing, and give a broad list of trees that should be used for "Canopy Trees", "Small Ornamental Trees" or decorative shrubs (usually out of play) There has to be some flexibility because in the future, when the super goes out to follow the plan (if he follows the plan) a particular species may be unavailable or too expensive.
In that acceptable tree list, I do consider playability, generally favoring high branching trees that allow recovery. (Now that may come from my college summer job on a course, when looking backwards, I managed to get knocked right off a tractor by a low hanging tree limb, much to the amusement of the regular employees)