Mike - I disagree with part of your premise.
The vast majority of homes built today are inferior to homes of the earliest 20th century - although they do have more technology applied. There is less integrity of material and less true craftsmanship/workmanship, and a greater focus on mass-produced efficiencies and materials. A very small percentage of highly custom homes defy today's conventional processes.
Today's agronomic understanding, emphasis on positive drainage, and capacity to constructively move dirt to make previously unusable sites suitable for golf probably have been improvements in modern golf courses - from those perspectives.
But - Isn't golf course design limited today - at least in the mainstream (whatever that is) - because of technology and the requirement that maintenance/design accommodate modern construction and maintenance equipment - and perhaps in some cases "engineered" stormwater management practices? Don't those limitations create constraints that didn't exist with most classic, old courses?
Your thoughts?
Steve,
I think you are probably right for mainstream.....but some of the smaller stuff like the Takeuchi track machines etc can alow for the same shaping as in the past and some of the new mowers can do the same..lke the flex 21 toro for greens etc(and there are all types of opinions on that).....but say ADS pipe vis clay tile.....today grasses vs yesterday....topdressing machines vs old methods....all is better IMO..
As for houses, I was speaking of comparable houses aesthetically and craftsmanshp wise.....
BUT Yes you are correct in that today we "DUMB DOWN" all construction(hosing,golf,cmmercal) because of machinery and materials IMHO...
Here we don't construct for the longterm..there are countries as you know where people have good houses that are older than our country....
Mike