Recently I noticed a neat feature on a downhill par 4 hole that can help or hurt the golfer, depending upon his perception and use of the feature.
As the fairway descends toward the green, the green rises up to meet it, such that the configuration looks like a wide open "V"
The back of the green is higher than the front of the green, but, not by much.
In addition, the fairway stops descending about 5 yards short of the green and then starts ascending until it becomes the green and then continues its slight ascent until you get to the back of the green.
Thus the golfer can play well short of the green, allowing his ball to run 10, 20, 40 or 50 yards up onto the green, but, if the golf attempts an aerial approach, and his ball lands just short of the green, it stays there.
This makes front hole locations difficult as most golfers don't try to hit past the hole, but rather, attempt to squeeze the approach in, between the front of the green and the hole.
It's a great feature for almost any downhill hole.
How prevalent is it ?
How many courses, on downhill holes, have that little swale short of the green ?