One other thing -- those who lack the game often bemoan those who do and often cite the factors of those having a long game or ability to adjust to even more exacting shot values as being nothing more than ego related when that is not the case. No doubt a sign of personal insecurity / one's own golf game is at work here.
You got me, Matt, my sense of self worth is completely wrapped up in a game where you knock a little white ball into a hole.
Is projection one of the seven deadly sins?
Rich -
You're of course correct in stating everyone wishes to be challenged to his own level.
What I observe far more often, however, is that people wish to be challenged at what
they think their own level is or should be, even many of the best golfers in the world. That's why you see guys sitting in the fairway, but on the wrong side, scratching their head about why their wedge shot didn't end up 10 feet from the hole, and then assuming the course is lacking, even thought they end up walking away with a bogey. "Tiger woulda stiffed that wedge, this course must be too easy."
As long as golf is a game against others, even the "member courses" listed before can provide more than enough challenge for any golfer in the world, even Tiger, though it may mean people have to adjust scoring expectations. A hole won with bogey is not necessarily better than a hole won with birdie.