All
I'm changing my definition for this comparison to: "Members Courses" and "Examinations." The "Greatest" courses in the world are both.
All decisions of the judge are final.
Mark
Muirfield is a great example, if....you don't play from the championship tees in any sort of wind, and even from the front tees you play match play. The impenetrable rough makes any medal round a grind (not that I've played a medal round there!), which may be one of the many reasons that its members are so devoted to match play--it makes what is an examination for the elite players a great course for members too.
George
All golfers have egos, including you. All (that I know) enjoy challenging their own game, obviously at levels of challenge consonant with their abilities and tolerance of failure.
Jim
You are right that the word "relentless" is important. It is the difference between a game of stroke play golf in competion and match play golf with friends. Truly great courses feel right for both types of play.
Andy
Good point re: Crystal Downs and Set up. The same is true for most British Open venues and for shorter courses that have great architecture (from the tee to the hole). However, I think a ball-busting set-up of Crystal Downs or say Dornoch (which in the latter case might involve cutting the rough rather than growing it) would be extremely interesting, but just a little bit short of a Final examination due to the lack of enough tests of length.
Matt
My touchstone for the revelation that great golfers are differnt from you and me (well maybe not you in this case) is the 6th hole at Spyglass. I used to watch the best pros 30 years ago stand up on that back tee and fire their drives over the RH fairway bunker with seeming impunity, whereas I had to try a power fade between the bunkers to maximize my distance, because I couldn't make the carry. I'm sure you have your own touchstone. Maybe around the greens at Pebble
?
Thanks y'all
Rich