>Like take a course, randomly flip some squares to sand/water/grass/etc, compute the new strategicness, and keep it if it's higher.

Holy crap, this is a really good idea. I’ve already shown how this is done by adding and removing bunkers, but single pixels is extremely smart.

>would let you take an existing golf course and search for new modified layouts with higher strategy, to inspire a human expert in modifying a course.

I’ve seen so many folks misunderstand what I’m doing here. I applaud you here. Finding the minimum viable (cheapest) way to improve the strategic elements of a golf course across handicaps is more important than ever, and is one of the goals of this exercise as a potential product.