What makes a penal hole fun?

[Matthew Runde]

I don't particularly enjoy penal courses, but a penal hole in the middle of a stretch of strategic holes (and a few heroic ones) can be very exciting and refreshing.  Do you enjoy this type of hole?  If not, why?  If you enjoy such a hole, what qualities do you think make it fun?  Are there qualities you'd avoid when designing such a hole?

Off the top of my head, here are qualities I enjoy in a one-off penal hole:

• A do-or-die tee shot that requires above-average precision (such as through a chute of trees)
• At least one shot that requires shaping, lest you lose a stroke
• A variety of hazards

...and qualities I dislike:

• A strong likelihood of a lost ball if a shot is foozled (water, out of bounds)
• A good chance of hitting a cart path with a shot that's even slightly off line
• Run-of-the-mill hazards (I want them at least to appear to be fearsome)

[Mac Plumart]

Beating the hole is the most enjoyable part.

Facing a stern test and coming out the victor. Could be making a birdie for some, might be not losing a ball for others. This yields a certain sense of satisfaction. But a stern test you can never pass is frustrating.