I don't think so Mark. While the target certainly gets smaller as you get closer to the hole, I think the nature of the game is that you have more control as well.
I'm not going to speak for any architects, but from a playing perspective today's flat greens and accommodating green side areas don't really jive with your theory.
Forgetting today's architects for a minute...let's dig into Pine Valley a little.
#15 really is the ultimate example of this concept in my experience but how many of the other holes are?
4 certainly doesn't - very difficult drive. The second shot difficulty reflects the quality of the drive although if it's a short drive and you're laying up it's quite easy. With a great drive down to the bottom, the mid/short iron approach isn't too bad. Cool shot but not overly difficult. Chipping and pitching from short or around the green just doesn't have all that much difficulty.
6 has all sorts of trouble off the tee but once you're in the fairway the approach is pretty easy relative to the length you're left with.
Success on 7 is dependent on a good drive and a good second shot. Tough to screw it up too bad if you've done that. The drive doesn't really provide an option to lay up and while the fairway is far from narrow, the entire fairway isn't usable on the right and you cannot miss it by a foot on the left. Pass the driving test on that hole and you can sort of coast...
Putting is the easy part on 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18...happy to break down those holes with you if you think the drives are easier than the putting/chipping.