Patrick,
They're not essentially equivalent, they're very different. The first refers to possession of an ability, the second to a demonstration of that ability. It's as simple as that.
The best players can hit the low runner through the swale, but they don't because they can more effectively just fly the ball all the way back.
To answer your question from the previous page, yes, I have played Yale. I think the 9th is a great hole for its many qualities but as with other Biarritz holes I don't believe the intended playing qualities are present in the modern game. It is a very different hole today than was intended.
Re: your request above, I have played the Biarritz holes at Fishers Island and Yale (both wonderful holes in their own right, and very different propositions), the Biarritz hole at MPCC Dunes, the Biarritz green on the par five 15th at Glen Mills and the very similar style green on the 16th at North Berwick West Links.