I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is one of two things happening:
1) Classic golf courses are obsolete. In that case, they must be some sort of design short-coming, because a truly great golf course would be timeless. It wouldn't matter if you are hitting a 5-iron or a 9-iron. In which case, older courses aren't as good as we think they are.
2) Classic golf courses are not obsolete, because they still offer strategies and challenges to all players, throughout the age. In which case, technology isn't a problem.
I think its alot more 1) than 2). Classic golf courses are obsolete, and the blame is not only increased distance, but also failure on the part of the original designers to create a truly timeless, adaptable and strategic layout. Obsolete has nothing to do with low score. It has to do with lack of interest for today's long ball, as they carry all the hazards, wedge it on the green, and reduce tournaments to putting competitions.