KBM,
You are probably joking, but I've heard architects and superintendents state with a straight face that they don't put much weight on what the average golfer thinks. BTW, I've spoken to more than a couple of superintendents who don't think highly of the architect's instructions on how to care for the course.
Pat Mucci,
The connector holes as some people refer to par 3s are very important in my book, and I like them to be all different. This is helped when the direction and terrain are varied, but I've played some that though the yardages are staggered, they tend to play similarly (short ones into the prevailing wind, long ones down wind). I think that the superintendent can help with variety in the way he sets the tees and pins relative to the conditions, but I typically find that little consideration is given in this regard.
Don,
I suppose that banking the green toward the incoming shot is commonly done for playability. Down slope and down wind, it is hard for most golfers to keep the ball on the green. Do you have an issue with a tee shot to a valley and the approach back up to a perched green set to fit the upslope?
Jon,
Cart paths are a necessary evil in most places, but very special care must be given in tight areas near boundaries. I am reminded of the cartpath adjacent to a par 5 green at Maderas GC with a drop-ff to a canyon. Not real good design in my opinion.
Another Don't which is a variation of ones already mentioned: a par 5 that requires a long drive to a small landing area in order to then clear a water hazard with a solid, long subsequent shot, otherwise requiring a short club lay-up then a long iron approach to the green.