Tom MacWood,
The easiest choice doesn't necessarily mean that it's void of challenge, nor does it mean that pursuit of the perceived, easiest route won't result in additional quandries further on, down the hole.
The first hole at NGLA sets the tempo, for the hole and the entire golf course.
There are probably three basic routes of choice.
Heroic
Reasonable
Safe
This is a slightly downhill par 4, playing from 290 to 320 yards, depending upon which tees are selected.
Played from the back tee, the safe shot is left with a more difficult second shot, and again two to three basic choices have to be made.
The reasonable tee shot faces similar choices as well.
The Heroic shot, doesn't face the same obstacles, but the choices of how to play the second shot are many.
Putt,
bump and run
Chip and run
Flip wedge
Here's this dinky little par 4, on the scorecard it looks harmless, yet I've seen more rounds made or destroyed by the wrong choices, improper execution or a combination of both. The variety, in the choices, the wind, line of play, shots, hazards, fairway contours, angles of the greens, contours of the greens, allow for every level of golfer to make their CHAIN OF CHOICES.
Even the third shot on the 7th hole, be it from 5 yards or 120 yards provides the golfer with an infinite variety of shots to play, essentially you pick your poison or your cake.
The genious of the design is remarkable.