Mike
re your post 29, I disagree on a couple of levels, firstly that length isn't driving whatever changes are going on - I appreciate that's not your point but it is most often the reason for making changes is it not ? As to your point, or what I think is your point, that we should all be playing like 20 or 30 years ago with the same shot values etc. for us normal humans who don't have the superlative golfing skills that you do, having a lot more half par holes because of technology is far more enjoyable than standard length.
For example, when it comes to a par 5, 9 times out of 10, a par 5 where you've got a chance of getting home in 2 is far more enjoyable than one where you can't. GCA's seem to have discovered the principle of that with more short driveable (for some) par 4's etc. but still seem to be a slave overall to a particular number in terms of par or length of course.
Niall