A sign of greatness?

[Adam Clayman]

When 4 players of differing abilities can approach a pin position from all different directions, giving each a chance at getting close the hole?
 

[Gary Slatter]

Would the cup have to be in a bowl?

[Ron Farris]

Good question Adam, but I think about the many golf holes in the Midwest that are pretty mundane, flat and without any hazards.
Golfers of all levels could easily access the pin from any direction.  Now if you think about some holes at Ballyneal, you might find some greatness.  I think one of the reasons is that one can use creativity and hit shots to varying slopes ridges, internal contours, etc. and access the pins.  Remember I have not played Ballyneal, but I have a pretty good feel for the place.

[Adam Clayman]

Gary, No, but as Ron states, certainly there needs to be enough undulations to allow for creativity.

[Andy Troeger]

That could just be a sign that the hole isn't very difficult. I could point out examples of regular easy golf courses where that's true.

But personally I like courses with a fair amount of holes that have places where you just don't want to be. It might just be one really deep bunker, but having a mix of recoverable zones and severe hazards makes the game more interesting, even if it means that not all angles are recoverable.