Rick - I think the 'up and back' pattern we're using this year eliminates a lot of unneeded visual 'noise', and makes the architecture easier to discern than the old checkerboard pattern we formerly used.
I think mowing patterns on tees are more significant, though. A lot of folks use a stripe as an alignment aid. Well, we don't have stipes anymore, so it's a little tougher on thoe folks that used to use them.
I've never actually noticed mowing patterns on greens.