Michael-
It does look very narrow from the tee with both areas of water in view. With that said, the fairway is a little more expansive once you get out in it, it just doesn't look that way from the tee. You heart is beating pretty fast at this point after finishing one of the most amazing run of holes (3-7) there is in golf.
Jim-
The first reason is that I personally think that is the terrain is more interesting at Fishers than NGLA. Second I believe the great holes at Fishers (4,5,6,7,9,11,12) are better than the great holes at NGLA (1,4,6,8,15,16) and the sporty holes are on par probably. They both have a couple of standard holes (Fishers 13,17 and NGLA 2,5,10) which are a push as well. Last, the views are as good as golf gets (which I realize have NOTHING to do with architecture) but as many here have argued you can't take them away and unless your heart isn't beating and your ears don't hear the omnipresent lighthouse bell you can't underestimate their intoxication of your experience at Fishers. Most on here would say NGLA is a better, maybe even more fun, golf course...but day to day, I would rather play Fishers. Just my opinion.
Brian-
It was relativity firm given the massive amount of rain in August and September (and the two days before I played). We were able to run the ball in on many holes (1,7,8,9,15,17)....matter of fact my playing partner hit an 8 iron from 115 yards completely along the ground to ONE inch on #9 the double plateau, which was fun to see! Hurricane Irene certainly had its effects on the course with water coming up on those two interior holes (13 & 14) but the rest of the course was in perfect shape, probably too perfect (green) for many. You can see the trees were already brown in some of the pictures and that wasn't from the leaves changing for the fall, it was the massive amount of salt spray in the wind from the hurricane that killed the leaves. Donnie Beck does an amazing job there without pervasive irrigation. A true case study to be studied and implemented everywhere in my opinion.
Ron-
Well said about the comparison's of Fishers #6 and Crystal Downs #8. The only thing I would add is the greens are very different. If you three putt Crystal Downs #8 you had done well, Fishers #6 is much flatter and birdie is a true opportunity.