The rough would be very difficult. It would have a very strong scientific base. He was disturbed by people who speculated without knowing. Thoreau is a metaphor for what we call ecology. I say Thoreau would detest golf today.
Courses are too pretty.
They are too finely manicured, too highly contrived, too unnatural. He would walk several miles to his favorite layout, only to be told to take a cart. He would give up golf. It is the best lifelong physical game ever conceived by mankind. That's why, across the industry, golf must endorse these environmental principles.