Since are on the issue of rating courses, how does the course rating formula work exactly? I played a course today in Alaska, basically as sea level (not more than 100ft elevation) that was 7325 yards. The course rating was 78.0 and the slope was 142. I can understand the slope rating, but I just don't get the course rating. Based on how I played, I just can't see 'par' being 78 for a scratch player. I shot 87 and played like pure garbage, sprayed the ball all over the place. I would have shot not much better on a course 6800 yards with a course rating of 70 or something. I just don't see how the rating for someone who hits the ball straight 95% of the time and aught to be a fair striker with the irons can be 6 shots over par. Yes, the course is very long, but it has quite receptive greens and not much trouble so long as you know distances. Please tell me how courses are rated. Thanks.
Oh, and to make sure this is architecture related, the course was mostly walkable, they only long walks were necessary because of a creek that bisects the course and I felt the course was very well designed. I have played 6900 yard courses that I felt were backbreakers and I played this 7300 yard course today that I felt could be a legitimate cupcake it I played good golf. I just didn't see what made it so tough, but overall it was a very well designed course.