I have a theory that one of the reasons most films are not very good is because the wirter starts from the beginning, i.e. because he/she creates a dramatic conceit/situation that ensures an engaging and fast moving opening act or two, but that proves unable to sustain an entire narrative or solid third act. Now, this theory shouldn't apply to golf courses, since the puzzle that is a routing comes together in a much different way; the "first" hole might've been the last one found, and the "last" one might've once been planned as the 6th or 9th or 14th. And yet, I don't remember many threads around here that mention courses with average opening 9s and terrific closing ones. Sure, maybe that's because in the end they just 'flip the nines' because they want the strong 9 first. and yet I can't quite figure out why this would be necessary in the first place. of course, maybe my theory has no validity whatsoever.
Peter