Grass lines should always be driven by contour... I wouldn't go changing some of Mac/Raynor, etc now, but I'd never suggest it for something new.
Jaeger,
So this hits at the heart of my original question.
Why wouldn't you suggest it for something new? So many people have posted in the last several days how much they enjoy them from the Golden Age archies, myself included, but they're not really being built anymore.
And what do you mean by "grass lines should always be driven by contour"?
John - This is the basic concept for what I refer to as: "Grasslines Explained"
The contours are what gives a green its character. They are gentle enough in places to for pins, and steep enough in other places to generate interest and strategy. This is best done when the contours are natural, or built to mimic nature. This is often done with convex, concave, rounded shapes, swales, and so on. A smooth curving grass line that follows the inside of a contour, rides up over the top to accentuate it, surrounds it, or mimics it will make it feel natural by giving it an explanation for why it exists. This will also create more an individual feel and uniqueness for each green, let alone give you more freedom in artistry and composition.
It need not be excessive contour, but enough to explain why they move the way they do, along with the strategic element goes a long way.
The same can be said for fairways, or tees. Imposing straight lines or excessive jogging without contour to dictate when or where it does makes them feel forced, unnatural or even arbitrary in cases... Square peg, round hole!