JNC_Lyon,
I think you are absolutely correct in that many designers and many architect "buffs" like those on this site really love and "get" the concept of centerline bunkers but that centerline bunkers are almost universally despised by today's golfer.
I spend all day around golfers (the 99.8% who are "normal"
) and the notion of having a bunker "in the middle of the fairway" absolutely drives them nuts. It is not a perspective unique to any type of golfer either--my scratch buddies despise those centerline hazards as much or more than others--again, they feel like if they bust a drive 290 down the "middle" they should have a perfect shot.
Also, and I think Pat and Mike or others touched on this, the relative "straightness" of the modern ball has made the art of shot making far less relavent. I am not sure how much shotmaking was really a part of the game in the "good 'ole days" to begin with but to play well today you would be an idiot to try and shape shots when there is little need to do so.
The modern game is a fundamentally different game than what was played 30 years ago--that horse left the barn and is never coming back.
As summed up by Dr. Rotella who has spent a lifetime watching how the world's elite shoot low scores, here are the "secrets":
1. Get the ball in play with ANY club that keeps you in play. Tour players do not hit balls out of play--no crazy, wild shots.
2. Iron play is over rated--no one (even Ben Hogan) makes birdies with 5 irons.
3. From 130 and in, you must literally be thinking of making EVERYTHING. Your short game is EVERYTHING.
While Doc would not emphasize bombing it off the tee, since birdies are made with wedge play and putting it makes sense that the more wedges you in your hand, the more birdies. Not BOMB and GOUGE but pretty close.
Sorry for the tangent but players (customers) hate center line hazards, they don't appreciate the strategy or fairness and they pay the bills. I think designers and nut cases like us (and me) love them but we are far out numbered.
Lastly, I can tell you that even more than the severity of some greens the worst "argument/fight" any of Mike Riley's (my architect and the architect of numerous Atlanta courses) buddies and fellow members ever had with him or me was over his use of center bunkers!!!