The run-up aprons in front of WS 17 and 18 are perfect examples of areas that are bent grass, need to be watered more heavily in heat, or need to have the Scott Anderson, years of cultural treatment to make the turf evolve to hearty that can stand the practice of browning out, lean and mean, firmer and faster than what we see for TV greenery at current WS.
Also, just before the 2004 PGA, there were select FWs well before the immediate forefront of greens that were more rye-fescue, that were wider in the throat and allowed balls to bound from pretty significant distances short and wide high of greens where they could bound in for a greater optional playing choice for shorter knockers. The bent grass that swings from left to right with what was a mid FW bunker slightly off the higher left of the FW had mowed rye-fescue mowed around it, and that big bouncing from right to left shot could be an option. But, it was brought maybe 25-30 yards in as intermediate rye-fescue about 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches, where it has now remained.
But, as the WS design is from the begining, with the general sloping contouring in the foregreens, that if maintained more firm would only bound most shots into the difficult bunkers, I think that firm and fast conditions in those immediate foregreens would be a double penal factor and would put even more balls into bunkers rather than allow or reward the crafty ground players to bound some good shots in. So, I guess it is all relative and probable the bent and predictably softer fore greens is a concession to the more tricky foregreen and side green shaping that would catch perhaps an unfair amount of shots. They need fewer green surrounds bunkers and milder contouring in my opinion if they want firmer foregreens.