I like f&f as much as the next fellow, but I accept that it is rarely possible or affordable in the A1 form Pat alludes to. There are, however, many shades of the ideal which are plenty fun to play. As Joe suggests, what worries me is the buffer of lush which has become acceptable and every super has his own defined buffer of what he thinks is safe. And now, we are coming up with all sorts of different strands of grass (which are expensive to install) which may or may not have long term consequences...the jury is still out. Like Joe, in general, I think it is best for many clubs to make do with what grows best...naturally. Learn its charactersitcs and get the max out of it. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful to play on a great surface, but this is fools gold if folks think it can be done everywhere, anywhere near most of the time. I just accept that at best I will see awesome conditioning maybe a few times a year. This year I have yet to see a course in great nick and I have played some of the best courses in the world.
Of course, for 12 month cubs it is important to see how a course is during winter months. To me, this is the important time of year when good green keeping will properly shine.
Ciao