(P.S. to Jason: if a forced carry is not too long for the average player to comfortably clear, then what is the merit of it?)
I don't like forced carries that ask "Are you capable of hitting it this far?" If the answer is "No," then the round ends. That sucks.
I do, however, find that virtually all high handicappers I talk with enjoy the occasional forced carry that, while manageable with a good shot, still stirs some nervousness in their stomach as they stand over the ball. High handicappers hit a lot of shanked, topped, fat, and generally weak shots. They also rarely stuff approaches tight and rattle off highlight-reel shots. As a result, watching a solid hit fly over 115 yards of water and safely to the fairway on the other side is often one of the most satisfying moments they experience on a course. The merit of the feature is the extra dose of nervousness and excitement it adds for the player standing over the ball, along with the upside of feeling the satisfaction of meeting the challenge. "Short enough to comfortably clear" with a good shot doesn't preclude the high handicapper from feeling uncomfortable before he hits it.
Punchbowl Greens
Overrated. They stink.
16 at Cypress Point.