Will,
Interesting question. From time to time, there are threads here about finding the only "perfect" routing on here, but never by architects, who know most routings are compromises of many demands. Sometimes, as an old saying goes, you give up one great hole to get several decent ones."
One of my best courses, the Quarry at Giant's Ridge, nearly came out completely differently. After the success of the first one, we studied three sites. I actually recommended on across Wynne Lake, and it offered an out and back routing, with 9 holes one the water, and 9 just above those with filtered views through the pines. Because the first course had such environmental scrutiny, the Owner elected to build in an old sand/iron ore quarry down the road, which did pass with environmentalists easily, and offered a chance to do a Pine Valley style course, so I was okay with that.
Even then, the final routing is nothing like what I initially proposed. While the 18th runs along an old ore pit turned lake, my original plan was to have 1 run north of the clubhouse, with a scary and beautiful cape hole (water on slice side) opening up. Another problem was 1 would run right into the sun. Lastly, holes coming back would run through an old railroad yard and diesel servicing facility. EPA rules place almost 99% cleanup requirements on sites like that, and almost unlimited legal liability on owners of such sites, so it was quickly ruled out, and the bulk of the course tightened up and went across the street where 16 holes now sit.
Besides 1, 2 would have also run the lake. 3 and 4 would have slid up an iron ore overburden pile, to the spectacular 5th, 200 feet above Wynne Lake with spectacular view, 6 and 7 would have run back and forth before 8 came down the hill, again, with a tee shot elevated by 200 feet. Boy, was everyone against that! Soils guys said any hole on top of that hill had to be 100 feet away from the edge, because it might slump. That killed the view I wanted. Highway department worried that the elevated tee shot on 8 might hit the road (intentionally or not) which was legit. And then, the finale was 9 running through the rail yard, which required clean up.
Course turned out fine anyway, and the compactness is part of its charm. But, I thought we had a chance at nearly 19 spectacular holes by spreading it out. Another old saying in design is to not fall in love with any hole too much, because you might not end up getting it in the final plan. I think the Quarry shows there is almost always a way around such disappointment, and that necessity is the Mother of invention.