Tom Doak,
One of the things that fascinate me about green contours is the steepness of the transition zone from one tier to another.
A perfect example of this can be found on the 11th hole at NGLA.
The left side tier is steeply sloped.
The rear tier isn't as high, but still has a quick transition.
I've noticed, on other greens, that the transition zone isn't nearly as abrupt.
In your response you indicated that two (2) feet makes golfers uncomfortable.
Relating that two feet to the transition zone, how do you feel that a steep transition zone further removes the golfer from their comfort zone ?
And, aren't most golfers more uncomfortable when putting or chipping from a higher tier to a lower tier ?
So wouldn't sharp or abrupt transition zones, irrespective of the height differential, make the golfer very uncomfortable ?