Has anyone ever landed a Group A (or whatever they are called now) aeroplane in a field due to bad weather? Or heard of anyone who has?
A Pa28-161 rented from Highland Flying Services was landed by a PPL on the beach near Fort William due to weather, and flown out by the CFI with no damage.
A Pa28 touring from England was landed in a field SW of Inverness, due to weather, and successfully flown out by the pilot when weather improved.
The emphasis in training seems to be on a procedure, rather than a successful landing, whether with or without power. A friend who didn't do his SEP paperwork in time, and had to sit a test, was given a PFL. He positioned to land on a microlight strip, to a certainty of success, but was failed as he did not fly a circuit.
As regards choosing a field, in my home area, at present, I cannot predict the softness of grass/stubble fields until my boot sinks in.