David, that is an interesting question. While I don't have the repetoire of shot making skills of a very good golfer, I would say that a 'short' that offers the player a variety of methods of attack, based on conditions, is the hallmark of a good short, and a 'classic short'.
The first condition I believe is situating the hole where it uses the variability of potential wind directions and strength, which is highly dependant on geography.
Next is the conditions of the ground, and if it can be maintained to the architect's vision of playing condition of firm and fast, or softish.
Both of these above factors obviously give the player a choice if he has the shot ability to decide on an aerial lawn dart, or a low trajectory, spinner that can skip and stop, or back up.
Then, there is the foregreens, that also dictate possible strategies, including the bound and run-in, and the aerial. Then there are the ever important surrounds. Sometimes I think that the surrounds aren't given enough consideration as to the quality of any hole, and particularly the shorts.
Back in the day, I think there was far more emphasis on the player having a variety of skills on a short hole than now. Aerial assault is only one skill. And, with a 9-I down to various wedges, modern equipment probably demands that the competitive golfer stay mostly with the aerial assault of lawn darts if they want the best percentage of scoring chances. Yet, for us recreational golfers and those that use old or hickory equipment, I think short holes really do give the rec golfer, the most chance to have fun, in many different methods of shot making.