William, Your query mixes maintenance presentation with a question about architecture. Out esteemed TePaul has correctly identified the term "Ideal Maintenance Meld" as how each course should be presented, for the architecture present.
It breaks down this way, imo. Those who prefer to have a very predictable outcome to each and every shot, prefer to have their maintenance presented soft. Then there are those who prefer to have the elements play a bigger roll in their golf, by having firm turf, on courses that allow for balls to run out for a longer time after each shot returns to earth. Naturally, sometimes it rains, so it's important for the latter, to have all aspects of one's game stand up to daily conditions.
In my experience, the softer version of golf, day after day, if you're lucky enough to get to golf everyday, becomes a less than compelling exercise than it's firmer counterpart. Firmer golf is also more fun for it's followers than just the satisfaction derived from hitting stock, soft high approach shots, hole after hole.
Humility is a key component in handling how one plays. By having a firmer canvas, the sportsman has more opportunity to exhibit the lessons humility has to offer, which can carry onto other aspects of life. Without it, you'll often hear the whines and cries of "unfair" when the results of one's shot is not as expected.