On a good course there are going to be lies off the fairway that I don't want to run up on anyways. I think the terrain should dictate this, not an arbitrary line set down. If you really want to make it tougher, just make it an ob line. They do that in ball golf too.
I don't think making it tougher is the only goal. In my mind you ideally want risk/reward decisions that are intriguing/fun....and ones that give you the option to recover if you miss your mark by a little, but still punish/push you since you screwed up.
You are right that on wooded courses it is easy (easier) to attain this. But what about courses devoid of good rough? Coincidentally, those are the courses that can allow for a good size gallery and facilitate a compelling live broadcast.
Here is such a hole that I quickly whipped up (and I'm sure it can be improved upon). It is in a ~700' hole on a flat open field with only staked ropes added for demarcation (like Winthrop Gold at USDGC does).
The biggest arms could attempt to get to A. But if they fall short (B), their lie is at C. They have to throw with no run-up (S&D) and will be lucky to get to D. If they do not reach D (or over throw it), they will be facing another S&D throw. So, in their attempt at a 3, now they are facing a 5 and maybe/probably even a 6 (with only one of those being a penalty).
The lesser arms want to push up the chute right of D. But the harder they push, the closer they get to S&D territory and a 300-350' S&D shot limiting their birdie approach. This will kill some players chance, but for players who have the skill developed, there is a "heroic" opportunity for them still to recover from missing their mark.
I like this a lot. Maybe others' mileage will vary.
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