I think for what he designs (or gets paid to design) he does decent enough work. When I think of Arthur Hills, I think of "residential, cart golf". With that said, I have played a few of his courses that are devoid of homes and such, but are still pretty much cart golf. To be fair to Art, he designs what he gets paid to do and I try to judge his work within that framework. I think it is unfair to judge him against other big name GCA's (I will place him ahead of Rees though!) since he is not securing the best land, with high rollers paying him a huge design fee and free artistic reign, but I could be wrong. I feel if you judge him by that standard (residential, cart golf with some resort courses), with a few exceptions, he makes fair, playable for all types, golf courses. Overall, his courses are pretty consistent, and I can expect a decent round of golf when I play a new Hills' course.
I am surprised that I have played this many Hills' courses.
I liked:
Red Hawk (MI)
Forest Akers West (MI)
Hills Course at Boyne (MI)
Shepherd's Hollow (MI)
I somewhat liked:
Longaberger GC (OH)
Hawkshead Links (MI)
Coosaw Creek (SC)
Fox Run GC (KY) (all except the last 2 holes which should be completely bulldozed)
Fieldstone (MI)
Fox Hills (MI)
Pheasant Run (MI)
Legendary Run (MI) (The front 9 is good, the back 9 not so much)
Lakes of Taylor (MI)
Weatherwax (both courses) (OH)
Kinda disappointed:
Bay Harbor (MI)
Shaker Run (OH)
East GC (OH)
Pipestone (OH)
Red Hawk Run (OH)
Wetherington CC (OH)
Turnberry GC (OH)
Kinsale CC (OH)
Want to Play soon:
Eagle Ridge (KY)
Hills Course at Palmetto Dunes (I liked those pictures!)