Tony,
This has definitely been a hot topic in the Philadelphia area for the past few years. Why is it necessary to radically alter the speed of greens? I know the new breeds of bentgrass (A's and G's) promote a lower cutting height while providing a more dense cover (grass plants per area). My best experience this past year was playing at a Top-100 course where the greens weren't too fast, but they were extremely smooth........... The course was set up for a meeting of Golf Course Superintendents (so I'm sure pride was on the line) but I think if putting greens are smooth and rolling true, who cares what speed the greens are rolling. Especially on older courses with more than adequate surface drainage (read, plenty of contour), faster translates to un-puttable
Modern design standards do call for flatter putting surfaces (up to 3%) which I think makes for very boring greens. I don't believe in flat greens where the best ball striker has the decided advantage. I prefer greens with movement to challenge all aspects of a golfer's short game--chipping, pitching, and putting. There is nothing I enjoy more than a huge landform in a green that creates distinct cuppable areas within the putting surface. If the new turfgrasses are going to eliminate the judicious use of contour in putting surfaces, I say ban them, raise the cutting height, and dry things out. Let's return the game to the overwhelming majority!