JES II,
I think the architect's task is far more difficult today because of the broader spectrum with respect to distance.
50 years ago the gap between the PGA Tour Pro, superior national amateurs, superior local amateurs and club players wasn't that wide.
Today, it's enormous.
So, how do you offer a challenge for all levels ?
My answer: ...... you don't.
Forget about the Pros and Mad Bombers.
Design the golf course for the other 98 % of the golfing world.
My preference is for wide fairways, penal strategic bunkers, interesting and difficult green surrounds and contoured putting surfaces.
A golfer who shoots 90-100-110 isn't hitting greens in regulation, thus, he can navigate his way to the green provided he's given an alternate route from the route for the plus, scratch or low handicap golfer.
People have discussed Tom Doak's 6th hole at PD as a good example of providing alternate routes.
NGLA abounds in alternate routes.
Again, I think the key lies in wide fairways as a starter.
Without them, the mid to high handicapper is doomed and bored.
One of the things that disturbed me was when I visited Pinehurst # 2, a golf course I'd been playing for close to 50 years and saw that the fairways had remained narrowed, after the big shows had left town.
I think that deprives the mid to high handicap of a joyous challenge.
It becomes too difficult for his game.
On the other hand, golfers are stupid.
They continue to search for the Red Badge of Courage.
The revel in playing the same golf course that the best players in the world have trouble playing.
I used to love playing ANGC from the Masters Tees.
While I can play from the Masters tees, the course from that distance is really beyond my abililty and wouldn't bring me as much fun as playing from the Member's tees, which might be a little short for my liking.
But, you have to ask yourself, like ordering at a restaurant,
What do you want ? A challenge that's fun, that can be attained ?
Or, a challenge that's overwhelming, that can't be attained ?
Part of the problem is the focus on medal score, which, we're forced to do in order to establish a handicap.
Recently, I played Friar's Head with a friend of mine.
We had a great match in a 2-3 club length wind.
Some of the holes were barely reachable in the wind, but, because par was irrelevant, we didn't care, we just wanted to beat each other, and have fun in doing so.
We commented on what a great game this is, where you can spend hours being both friends and competitors, tellilng jokes to, and needling your opponent. And, the handicap system equalizes the disparity in ability, hence, you're competing without prejudice.
But, as you narrow the field of play and dictate play, the equalization can get distorted and the fun removed.
Sand Hills, Friar's Head, GCGC and ANGC are no pushovers, but, you can have fun while trying to meet the challenge. The challenge provided by the golf course and the challenge against your playing opponent.
Wide fairways are the foundation for great golf courses.
End of rant.