Bob - that's a terrific entre into a complex and important aspect of gca. I've been thinking about it for the last hour. I think I would suggest this:
There are many ways to make a 5 on a Par 4. Most architects know how to provide the high-handicapper with at least a chance at making their 5s, bad shots and all, especially if honestly and humbly sought. Many architects know how to provide the average golfer with a reasonable chance at a 5, even after they've hit one bad shot. Some architects know how to provide the low-handicapper with a good chance at a 4 (if they've hit what is, for them, a bad shot) while still keeping a 5 clearly in the picture. But only a few architects know how to make low handicappers really work and sweat for their 4s (and likely emerge with 5s) after what is, for them, a bad shot; but at the same time, i.e. on the same golf hole, allow the mid-handicapper to grind for that possible 5 and the high-handicapper to happily accept a 5 (at least on occasion). This last scenario/golf hole/type of architecture seems to me the great magic trick of the art-craft, i.e. to create the kind of greens and recovery options and lines of play that, on an average day with golfers playing their usual games, make for hard-fought pars and well-earned bogeys both.
Peter