I am only half playing devils advocate, but am selling myself on the smaller baskets more and more.
How often I hear the top guys say "My comfort circle is 30' in, I know I have almost all of those. If I can take a less aggressive line and get to that circle I won't risk the tougher shot" Paul McBeth talks about that a bit. I think that it will even become a better spectators sport when the pros have to play more aggressive to get closer to the pin.
I don't know if my mobile post a minute ago posted, but to stress again I would rather see someone park a tricky hole and make up a stroke over the guy who hit the tree guarding the basket but was left with a circles edge putt keeping a stroke.
I agree with you that better course design that rewards players for hitting the best line and getting that 35 foot and in putt are the only way to truly take the sport to the next level. More risk/reward holes is another element that courses need, not every hole of course, but more of them. Safe shot = par. Risky shot equals birdie, bogey, or worse.
I don't see how smaller baskets factors into that at all.
Furthermore as an example let's look at an easy hole for an NT level pro . 300 feet, some guardian trees, etc.
95% of pros will opt for the Spike Hyzer because distance control is easier and they can avoid all the trees.
Pro 1 hits tree short, is left with a 35 footer and awkward putt under tree.
Pro 2 throws a spike hyzer, hits near basket is parked <10 feet.
Pro 3 throws a spike hyzer, same line as above but hits the baskets pole and it redirects oddly now he is left with a 25 footer.
AM 4 takes harder route because he doesn't have the power to throw the spike hyzer, avoids all trees, beautiful drive, is left with a 20 footer.
Results with Smaller Basket (effective gimme range of 15 feet):
Pro 1 = chooses to lay up because of distance/awkward putt and takes a PAR
Pro 2 = tap in BIRDIE
Pro 3 = misses due to distance/target size, PAR
AM 4 = misses due to distance/target size, PAR
Results with normal baskets (effective gimme range of 30 foot):
Pro 1 = Runs putt, but misses, taps in PAR
Pro 2 = Birdie
Pro 3 = Birdie
AM 4 = Birdie
As you can see all the smaller baskets did was reward the Pro 2 shot that didn't suffer the same bad luck of the Pro 3 shot, that turned a near ACE into a PAR.
The AM 4 shot was the BEST shot of the group that involved no luck. He hit THE line, truly beautiful to watch, but he is robbed of the birdie he would have easily had on the current baskets.
I won't disagree that smaller targets would increase spread among the field. My point is that it doesn't do it in a productive way, its less fun to watch people miss a 25 footer than sink a 50 footer, and its less rewarding for all players to hit the best line with the most risk and still have to look down a stupid challenging putt.