I think some water hazards are okay. As with any design element, moderation is key. 3-4 water holes per 18 is about the limit IMO, at least in terms of holes where water is clearly going to be a factor. But even then, they need to be well designed holes. I've seen plenty of poorly made holes that border on abuse due to the way the water hazard is used.
I've only watched the first half of round 1, but one hole stood out to me as ridiculous. I think it was 19. The players were throwing across the water to a very thin strip of grass (less than 20 feet wide) bordered on one side by thick trees and brush and the other by water. Castro had the "best" drive in that he was in circle 1, but his putt was completely obstructed despite being less than 20 feet from the basket. I don't generally have a problem with obstacles like that in the circle, but having that there and an equal portion of the circle on the other side of the basket be water is bad. UDisc says the scoring average on that hole in round 1 was 3.88 (par 3)...most difficult hole of the day. Can't say I'm surprised.
I've only watched the first half of round 1, but one hole stood out to me as ridiculous. I think it was 19. The players were throwing across the water to a very thin strip of grass (less than 20 feet wide) bordered on one side by thick trees and brush and the other by water. Castro had the "best" drive in that he was in circle 1, but his putt was completely obstructed despite being less than 20 feet from the basket. I don't generally have a problem with obstacles like that in the circle, but having that there and an equal portion of the circle on the other side of the basket be water is bad. UDisc says the scoring average on that hole in round 1 was 3.88 (par 3)...most difficult hole of the day. Can't say I'm surprised.