YankeeJim: If I didn't know better I'd think the equation that a shot generates has some kind of variable attached to the value of the ding that's bigger than it used to be. Kind of a left handed way of combating meter-monkeying.
Funny you say that as I am positive there is some algorithm to the percentage of dings hit.
I played last night (at work now) and for the first 3 holes I missed the ding every shot (including putts) despite trying to ding! I was 2 under through three.
4th hole on the drive was my first ding, followed by the next shot (par 5) and pitched up (missed ding) but a tap in bird.
5th hole drive missed ding by a whisker, approach hit way to early, rolled up for a tap in bird!
6th Missed ding on drive (marginal) followed by mostly dings till the approach on 9. Dinged again and despite low winds, went well left and I had a 30 foot putt on the 9th - virtually dead straight - I missed the ding late for it to stay dead straight and drop!
To me it was like the more missed dings, the game took pity on me, the more dings in succession, the harder it got. Co-incidence perhaps or maybe it was my turn to card a decent score lol.
I have never tried testing this but might give it a whirl tonight.