You know Sean, you really have a psychosis.. Seriously.. You seem to speak of the merits and detriments of Deal in the same sentences. You like it, but you don't love it, but you seem to play it often and upon more plays you seem to understand it and like it more, yet you lament the shortcomings (as you see them) as greater. I'm just using your words Sean. What are you afraid of? To admit that Deal is the best venue for the Open currently not on the rota? That it is a better course for the Open than several courses on the rota?
A few observations--
#17- no one talks about Vardon's parlour and the advantage to hitting there. The flatter lie allows a greater variety of approaches. For my money and I spent a lot of time with Russell Talley looking at 17 green, the best play is the right side of the green (the front right) will bounce you left. Some of that hole is just rub of the green, no doubt about it, I agree I never try to bump it up there, down wind it is a flip wedge and hope but I can say that for a ton of links golf holes.
#8, it is the only shot at the Channel. The wind is never exactly behind you. In the SW, a hard fade will hold the green. Into a northerly, Ive hit push hooks and prayed. Also, you can miss back left by the 9th tee and have a relatively easy chip for par.
Where Deal is weak in my opinion:
1) Width--yes I'd prefer a bit more width off the tee (left side of 12 to bailout), more to the right on 15 and 16 (don't forget the 16th fairway has changed a ton from the early days (where it was).
2) I'd like another par 3
3) I'd like to see the original Sandy Parlour
4) The 9th is a good green, I would like to see the fairway changed a bit to make the hazard more of a center one if possible.
BUT, in lieu of me becoming a designer, leave it as the gem it is , the course is ignored by many, doesnt find itself high on ranking lists as it should. I prefer to let ignorance run its course. Tell me what links course in Britain has better greens than Deal. Between #1,3,4,10,13,15,16,17, there is not so much variety and fun as at Deal.