Patrick:
I like the look, and playability, of a Redan with a tee somewhat lower than the fortified green. Lawsonia's near-Redan 4th features this, with the combination of the uphill shot and play into the prevailing wind (often; the hole runs north-south and plays into the prevailing southern winds during the summer) means an added club for most players.
If you hit into the prevailing wind, doesn't that detract a bit from the Redan's defenses? I'm thinking the wind makes it easier to hold the green.
Jim:
Well.........it depends
For arguments sake, let's say the pin is tucked on the left third of the green (or where a good Redan pin ought to be). Wind is firm but not crazy, and against.
Here are three ways to play the shot (from a tee lower than the greensite, to assume Pat's argument):
-- Aim at the flag directly, hit a draw, and use the wind (as you suggest) to hold the green.
-- Aim at the right side of the green, or even the "bank" flanking the right side of the green, hit something of a running draw under the wind, and use the green contours/bank to shoot the ball toward the pin.
-- Aim at the "throat" of the green opening (for the player unable to hit a draw of any kind), hit something under the wind (or even use the wind to help stop the ball), and be faced with either a long two-putt (if this shot reaches the green), or pitch-and-putt your way to a par.
Option 1 requires lots of skill (assuming the Redan is playing at its proscribed length of @ 190 yds). That's OK, in my book, because it also comes with a higher degree of risk than either options 2 or 3, it seems. Misjudge the wind, and option 1 likely leaves the player in the front-left bunker with not a lot of green to work with (that is, green near the pin). Or, overcooking the draw could put the player in the bunker as well, or it could put them in other trouble areas surrounding the Redan (on the backside, e.g.). In short, option 1 is one that a player can best use the wind to his advantage, but the design of the Redan makes it a pretty risky shot.
Options 2 and 3 attempt to minimize the role of hitting into the prevailing wind on a Redan. They are less risky, but the player is also less likely, it seems, to get his ball close to the pin (or as close as a well-executed option 1 shot).