Alan,
Based on my experience, which includes talking to guys like Illini coach Mike Small, who says most NCAA courses are set up at 7250 yards or so (to protect the bottom half of the field) I would peg it right around there for a "one size fits all but PGA tour stops" kind of course. Statistically, less than 1% play over 7000 yards, so if you eliminate those from the design equation, about 17% prefer to play at 6800 yards. I really see that as sort of the max length needed for most clubs and certainly public courses. Took my son to a grand reopening of a muni remodel this weekend (former college golfer with some length) and he didn't break par at their 6800 yard tees. Had fun. Not a tournament challenge, but who needs that kind of challenge every day, even at that level?
Paul Gray,
Of course I am serious! Take out the 1% of us who really love old, traditional courses hosting major tourneys, and then take away the "tournament tough" kind of thinking, and the distance problem is solved.
Don't see Sunningdale or others as purely museum pieces. Well after their championship hosting years are over, they can still serve what was intended to be their main purpose - members enjoyment, which IMHO is a very honorable task for any course.
Now, if they want to produce their own ball and host their own tournament outside R and A rules, let them do it. I agree that we may have to snub noses at the ruling bodies for golf to survive. I personally don't see the huge downside of splitting golf rules into competition and recreational levels, with the disparities getting so great. Let them do that, let foot golf, large cups and whatever else catches on just thrive to the extent that it was meant to (I don't know what that is....market will decide)