TomP, Just thinking out-loud here: Taking the ninth at Pebble, with it's green front high lipped bunker, I believe I have more than just the two options (if I read your post correctly). Of course, depending on the area from the approach is attempted, and the ability of the golfer will either increase the # of options, or lower them. For the better player, I'd say the options are less than the number for a higher hncp'r. The better player is rarely, if ever, going to think about where to miss or to lay-up. They will likely always be flag hunting, even if it's a five wood from 220. While the hack, (ok me) will know that carrying a nice high soft 3 iron from 195 is likely doomed. So, now we have to think. If we know the hole trying to get close to the front bunker is a bad idea because it runs downhill into it. Playing to the apron on the right is also intimidating due to it's narrowness and the nastiness to the right.
My point is that, while all my options are available to me, I need to predict the outcvome of whtever I try to execute, ergo more than just the two options of go for it, or lay-up. But the # of options on where to lay-up are numerous.
As I said I was thinking as I typed. Did I make any sense? Am I splitting hairs or are the number of options biased towards GIR?