Another aspect of the bigger feel of American courses is the lack of roll on landing. I played Olympic Lake, Pasatiempo and Meadow Club in March 2001. In those days I could still get on the greens of 420- 430-yard par 4s in two shots in England ( I certainly can't now!) but my ball flight was too low and too reliant on bounce on landing (in those days playing frequently at a links course, Conwy). My American partners hit the ball high, all carry through the air, with no bounce on landing. I was regularly 50 to 100 yards short of them on the drive, and I doubt I would have been anything like so short of them in the UK.
In 2005 I played a number of prominent eastern seaboard US courses in August/September when it was very hot and very humid. I remember a caddie at Winged Foot, bless him, giving me yardages such as, 'It's 235 yards, playing 250.' I felt that I was letting him down. His advice was so good, but I was incapable of using it. I simply didn't hit the ball far enough through the air.