Corey:
The 10th at Crystal Springs is a marvleous hole -- and I am not one to say that automatically because I find that too many designers have opted to provide the downhill par-3 with all the obligatory bells'n whistle features. It's become the calling card of design for too many architects today.
The hole from tip tees play about 186 yards (latest scorecard) and clearly there are different green sections since the putting surface wraps itself so nicely around a natural water-filled quarry. As a strong player I usually hit no more than a short iron (9-iron to rear placements and PW or SW to front ones).
I've played the hole numerous times in a variety of winds. Most times managment tries to keep the pin in the front third section in order to give players a shorter hole and much easier target to reach. In this position the hole is probably no more than 150 yards from the tips.
When the hole is placed deep in the back or if you prefer more challenge when the pin is extreme left and in the "tongue" area you had better be really precise. I rarely see the hole in this location because of "speed of play" considerations. Club selection can vary from 2-3 clubs -- again depending upon wind and pin location. The hole does give you maximum elasticity. The thing is you must keep players moving otherwise you'd have players hitting balls like they were at the driving range.
David Glenz, the Director of Golf at the facility, has told me he has hit as much as 4 or 5-iron because of extreme wind. However, keep in mind wind conditions in Northern New Jersey are never as severe as eastern Long Island or the Great Plains.
Corey, you mention blind holes. The reality is that once you have played the hole you begin to "feel" what is needed. Of course, wind on par-3's is always guesswork (see Augusta's 12th or TPC / Sawgrass 17th, as just two examples).
But the 10th is really a test of short iron control in most climate situations and I believe von Hagge did a marvelous job incorporating a hole in such a dynamic setting. In my mind, the hole fits well and is one of the state's best public par-3's.
If you want to see a much more difficult hole with the same motif (but not downhill) -- i.e. water-filled quarry in front of green, try the new Wild Turkey and it's "do or die" 7th hole -- 208 yards from the tips and featuring a green that has a wasitline thinner than Britney Spears. The intimidation factor on this hole rackets up the notch considerably.
I like both holes and believe the "effective playing yardage" on the 10th at Crystal Springs requires some adjustment no less than other downhill par-3's. But, the main reason why I like the hole is that it "fits" the surroundings and is not "forced" to provide a pro forma downhill hole that you often see on too many daily fee courses today.
Hope this helps ...