MV was not intended to be a member's course. Before I left Ohio in 1978, the original caddy master (a retired insurance executive) told me of a foursome of Japanese executives that jetted in just to play MV, and about an hour or so after they went out, back they came to reload on balls. They loved every minute of their time despite losing three plus dozen balls each.
MV is probably quite different than AN (haven't played AN) in that water comes into play in a significant way in something like 14 holes. My forte when I was playing well was hitting the ball solidly (controlling my distance). Unfortunately, I have always fought coming over the top, so most of my balls tended to go left, and a few to the right when I tried to correct and overdid it (resulting in what you paraphrased). I suspect that I can play AN tee to green. I can't shoot a score at MV. I've played a number of Nicklaus courses well, so I think that MV is a totally different animal. Also, Nicklaus himself has said that he has changed his design approach, now focusing more from the member's perspective, and then finding tee locations for the experts secondarily.
MV is not an ideal course in your or MacKenzie's definition. Based on what I've seen at most gca.com associated outings, it is unplayable for most attendees. It is one of the best tests of golf I've experienced, without a doubt clearly identifying who can play the game and who can't. How the pros shoot the scores at the Memorial they do is beyond my comprehension.