But hasn't the modern equipment, specifically the design characteristics of the ball, allowed the ball to curve less?  

At least that is one of the cries of Mr. Nicklaus himself, that the modern ball (and modern golfer for that matter) can't be worked.  Since the amateur golfer is using the same ball, it should mean the same at that level.

However, what I do think has increased lost balls is the modern golf course.  Poor pieces of land which dictate forced carries over ravines or water hazards and housing development courses that have narrowed holes come to mind as primary evidence.

If more courses were wide open like TOC, the quantity of lost balls would decrease.

A very good question, but I think I'd disagree.  My feeling is that most amateurs hit the modern ball straighter to a greater degree than they hit it farther, but I couldn't prove that except by my own game.  But I sure have seen a lot of ProV's start out as big bananas or duck hooks and seem to straighten out toward the end of their flight.

On the other hand, I have 17 dozen FOUND ProV's in my hall closet, and haven't bought a golf ball in almost six years, so SOMEBODY sure is losing a lot of balls!

There probably would be more lost balls if dispersion patterns hold true at longer distances - am I making myself clear? - except that I think only a very small percentage actually see much added distance due to modern technology.

I could of course be all wet.  

I used to hit it much farther than I do now. I used to lose more balls than I do now. Jack is right. It used to be only us cheapskate rock flite players that could hit it so far. Now everybody gets a chance at it with the modern balls that have been illegally vaselined at the factory.

Modern technology hasn't caused nearly as many lost balls as has modern architecture, in its overcompensating for modern technology.

How many have been lost owing to modern environmental consciousness?