I do have one question. Are the courses you mention all high profile clubs? A common truth that I stand 100% behind is that in any city where the high profile club has installed fans you can go to a "poor" club that operates on a shoe string that doesn't have fans but the greens are just as good.
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All the clubs I referenced are in a group of the highest end clubs in Charlotte, NC. As to your theory, I guess it depends on your definition of "just as good". I have seen many supt's in our area with lower budgets produce putting greens in the summer with excellent turf density, but the putting quality harkens back to the days of Bobby Jones. It is a fine line we tread trying to provide the best of both worlds in a climate ill suited for one.
I believe the most frequent incorrect assumption most golfers make when discussing golf course maintenance or turf conditions, is that all things are created equal. The truth is each golf course is a unique, living, breathing thing. My course and my neighbor's may differ in age, soil composition, grass varieties, landscape, irrigation water source, etc. All these differences, minor in some cases play a role in how the grass grows on one side of the fence. The transition zone is full of good superintendents. Some provide great conditions with unlimited resources and others provide truly great conditions with much less. Most of us are simply trying everyday to provide the best possible conditions on that day for the enjoyment of our members and guests, or paying customers in the case of public courses. We do it because we love golf and love nature! We do it because we love seeing the sun rise over the course each morning and watching the sun set over the course each evening. We are caretakers and stewards of a little slice of heaven, and that is not something you take for granted.
Back to your theory...it is an accurate statement with regards to bentgrass putting greens, but only during certain times of year (late fall and early spring). During the worst of summer is when those with more resources at their disposal outperform and outshine those with less...at least that has been my experience in this business (25 years).