Mike,
Jeff isn't a slut!
Again you are incorrect regarding Tilly. You stated, "He was writing to sell his services, not inform the masses. As such, its all a bit suspect to use any quotes to really determine what he was thinking."
Jeff, the quotes I gave you were taken from articles that Tilly wrote specifically dealing with aspects of course design and his philosophies. They were not part of a marketing campaign for his services. As they were published in Golf Illustrated they were definitely written for "the masses."
As for his greens draining... so what. A well-designed green will drain properly and they had to account for this back then just as we do today.
As for your observation of how you, "Find it interesting that his comments on green contouring relate more to the approach shot..." Consider what Tilly also wrote:
"That which concerns me most is where the ball lands and exactly what it does after. In most instances the golf holes I plan are conceived in looking backward from a green’s site or from a favorable contour to locate properly the teeing ground."
"The building of a golf course is costly, and it should not be attempted without serious thought."
Tilly designed holes from the perspective of how the greens would accept shots played into them and therefor he would write that he first and formost gave consideration to the green entrances and their contours.
Finally, you wondered, "Given train travel, I wonder how closely those building the courses with his one or two site visits might actually get to that philosophy......."
Although there were some exceptions, Tilly made numerous site visits to the courses he designed regardless of distance. he also provided not only detailed drawings of green complexes, but he himself made and left plasticine models of both greens and holes for the builders to work with. He meticulously demanded that they be followed and reflected in the finish product.
For exmple, his contract with 5 Farms (since the Seniors will be there shortly it is apropos) called for "One Thousand ($1,000) dollars upon the delivery of the plans, specifications and models, and your approval of them." Note he would provide plans and specifications and models. In fact, he actually delayed the project for several weeks after hurting his wrist and being unable to make the plasticine green models for the project. He would do this work on site.
Your turn...