We often refer to the human anatomy when defining golf architecture at its highest level.  If someone likes or dislikes a golf hole or golf course, the answer as to “why” lies in one or all three design elements.  They are Strategy, Aesthetics, and Conditioning.  Using the human body as an analogy, strategy would be the bones, or skeleton of the golf course.  It includes many pieces of the course design, such as hole directions (and how they are impacted by wind, sunlight, etc.); uphill verses downhill; number of dogleg right, left, or straight holes; placement of hazards such as bunkers, lakes, streams, and wetlands; angle of greens to the hole centerline; slope that you play your shot from or into; placement of strategic trees; choice of grasses for various course features; cutting height of those grasses… The list is practically endless.  It has been said that hazards are the true essence of the game.  The key is to place the starting point for each level of player such that they can negotiate the hazard, thus having the satisfaction of completing the hole.  Perhaps nothing excites the golfer more than to challenge a hazard and gain the ultimate reward of a better angle for the next shot, or shorter distance, better stance, or all three.  A course with no hazards is hardly worth the time to play, while one with many severe hazards is too intimidating and thus fails to produce enjoyment for most players.  As the ultimate design unfolds, it should build to a strong climax, leaving the players pleading to return for their next round.  Every player has a “feeling” about a course after the round.  Though many players may not be able to explain exactly why they feel as they do, we know for certain that their feeling is highly impacted by the strategic quality of the golf course.