Over the years I have observed several instances where irrigation designers, 30 to 40 years ago, created wet approaches through multiple sprinkler layouts fronting the greens and use of 360 degree greenside sprinklers. Old-time designers were far more concerned about green grass than playability and, in my opinion, assumed golfers wanted softer, more forgiving conditions on and around the greens (this was also, to some degree, dictated by the technology available). From a greenkeeper's perspective this might be jokingly referred to as "The Golden Age of Poa Annua".
Clearly, there is a profound trend toward the "sympathetic" restoration of classic course playing conditions. If I'm not mistaken, many of the courses that have been referred to have undergone irrigation system updates or re-designs that allow the superintendent to apply precise amounts of water to specific locations. Furthermore, the irrigation water is applied in multiple, short cycles rather than one or two longer cycles thereby greatly enhancing infiltration and virtually eliminating runoff.
The ability to apply water in a highly customized fashion is a marvelous tool for a supt. to utilize in his/her efforts to maintain championship turf. Other technologies have surfaced in the past ten years that have further enhanced the supt's. ability to maintain healthy turfgrass roots through a stressful season. Healthy roots = the ability to more comfortably push the envelope toward consistently firm, fast conditions. Naturally, these efforts can prove to be very budget intensive and may not be for everyone.
My first supt's. job was at a medium budget private club in a windswept, semi-arid part of the country. In my youthful exuberance I recall going toe to toe with some of the high handicap members who were bouncing wedges over the greens all in the interest of good agronomics and firm and fast conditions.
From there I ended up at a top 100 course in the desert where I was "encouraged" to adopt the developer's mentality of "green is good". I also recall a tradition-minded club who vowed they would never succumb to the "artificial" look and playability of winter overseeding. Years later, after an ill-fated attempt to maintain bentgrass year-round, they have decided to plant hybrid bermudagrass and overseed.
While there has been tremendous progress in educating golfers of the environmental, agronomic, and playability benefits of reduced water use and tinges of brown; the fact remains, now more than ever, that golf is primarily a business.
Unfortunately, IMHO, the average hacker will most likely play the greenest course where he can, perhaps once or twice per round, fly the ball to the hole and walk away with a par.
But certainly that doesn't mean that we should stop trying to convert the masses.