The use of "world class" as a marketing term is one thing, and I think we all understand the hyperbole/deceit used by those who are selling something. We expect it, and mitigate it internally once we've experienced enough of it.
But the term gets thrown around a lot in this forum, and in the descriptions I've read of many golf courses and holes. It seems obvious that it means that a course/hole is in the top class world-wide, but I must admit that I'm interested in the criteria, and how one hole or course is so obviously in this class, while others are not. I know that wide experience would be necessary to feel qualified to make such judgements, but are there any objective criteria, or are we just talking about one person's opinion?