Minimalistic design and the idea of using the natural features on a property are certainly laudible.
In environments like the west coast of Ireland among the natural sand dunes, anything else would be a shame:
But what if the place you are is less inspiring? Are we too harsh on artificial elements in dull environments? Who doesn't want to be someplace pleasant when playing golf? I realize the hole below is not the greatest of strategic architecture. But, this weekend as I was playing in inland FL, I found this hole to be a pleasant diversion and took me to a happier place:
I am certain that this hole is not close to the best example of this feeling...I had a much stronger feeling of being transported to another place when playing the Rawls course in Lubbock and when playing Fancourt Links in S. Africa.
Aren't we too quick to denounce something as artificial if there is not a lot of interesting nature with which to work?
Bart