All depends on how it 'defends par.' Though I think thats a bad term. But a course can be fun to play and not be overly difficult. And it depends on the golfer. When I am playing really well, I want to play a golf course that is back breaking hard, to see where my game really stands. But thats certainly not what the average golfer wants. In general, I don't think the average golfer cares about protecting par, or whatever that means. I think has an effect on the rating because even Tom Doak has it written into his ratings that sometimes a course might get lower than others because its too short to challenge the better player. As for what course best defends par? I have no idea.