JeffTilley
Sometimes we play bad on our home courses too, but I think most of us understand the difference between an off day versus a layout that is just much too penalizing at our level.
I will admit to favoring the easier courses as I was learning the game, because it gave me confidence. Then as I improved over the years I graduated to occasionally playing more demanding layouts. I had to adjust my strategy and increase my level of patience, for sure.
But there were still several layouts that, after having played them only once, I swore that I'd never go back to, despite becoming an improved player over the years. Just outright stupidity... crazy bounces, greens that even if struck with a wedge wouldn't hold the ball.... rough that was ankle-deep on the narrowest fairway on a long par4, having only missed the fairway by a margin of 2 feet, but basically having to pitchout sideways.
We all have our own various levels of what we feel is fair compared to our individual abilities. But most of us also recognize an incredibly unfair layout when we come across it from time to time. Crazy bounces from a drive hit in the center of a fairway, ankle-deep rough on a narrow and long par4, greens that weren't designed to accept decent shots after a good tee shot that led to a short-iron approach...
No thanks. I'm in the twilight of my golf career. Don't mind a challenge, but neither am I expecting US Open conditions. I'm forking over money to play and spending most of an afternoon. I don't expect to be tortured for 4 hours.