Approach Shots

So this thread is roughly 16 and a half year old, but I enjoyed reading it and though things like this on golf courses are still relevant for discussion so please don't mind if I would add my experience.  I once belong to a small club for 15 years, Crystalaire cc.  The course was built in the 50's by Billy Bell Jr.  His course allowed for a run up shots with just the exception of about four or so greens.  The course sort of change its firmness throughout the year.  I really didn't know how to play it till I played with a teach and said to just roll the ball up onto the green.  That was an amazing way to play!!  Of course, I couldn't do it well at first, but my point is just knowing it and being able to do it was a great tool in the bag.

The course I frequent now is a military course.  The front 9 was built by the same Billy Bell Jr., and the back nine is by another designer, and I also don't know when it was added.  You'd really need to fly onto the green as it's protected by either water, bunkers, or just steep slope up.  Not a fan of it, but it's a good track.

Nearly every green at my local/home course is open in the front. 3 holes have elevated greens, and 2 of the par 3’s have either water or pits between the tees and pin. Other than those, almost every other green is open from the approach, at least half of the green. 

In my opinion, I think that is easier to control distance when you only have 1 variable in play. 
If you hit it high soft with 0 carry then you only need to worry about carry, but if you play it to land and roll now you also need to consider the amount of roll and also the slopes in the green to know in with direction the ball is going to bounce and turn to, more slopes you have, more unpredictable the bounce and roll is going to be. 

If the wind allow it, I definitively go for a mid-high approach shot, if I have a strong with in my face i go for the low spinner that also land soft and stop in a dime. 

Every hole on my home course is open in the front or very lightly guarded. There are only 2 holes where doing the run up is difficult. One is a pretty elevated and small green, the other is a drivable par 4 that has bunkers on the left side and in front. There is an alleyway on that hole, but it's pretty tight.