George:
I assume you're asking me about Shinnecock - and if so, you're asking about a course I played once, now at least 4-5 years ago.
So I'll do my best, but there are some real experts on the course here - listen to them.
My impression was that indeed shots hit short-sided would have had to get exceedingly lucky to stay on - rolling off the green would be the fate. And then the next shot would likely be out of a deep bunker, or across a very severe slope, or something of that nature. And yes, things were not much easier on the larger side. Criss-cross golf was very possible on very many holes.
Add to it that worse misses meant even worse fates, and well....
"All it requires is perfect shots" seemed an apt description to me.
TH