This is very subjective certainly, thus the collective opinion is hard to capture without ratings of members, but discussion is tough to classify. Having said that I think of a hotel. If we think of a hotel and why we rank one over the other, there are other things not associated with the actual room that either make it good or not in our minds. Golf course architecture is like the room you have at the hotel, the hard product you want to focus on. But a hotel, like a golf course have other things that matter when considering which course you prefer over another. 5 star hotels are all about services and amenities above and beyond of a nice room. Golf courses I would argue are similar.
One of the first things I think of as a non-millionaire is what cost did i outlay for this hotel room or round of golf? I instantly love it more when I think I got a good deal on the room, or maybe a friend is hosting me at his private club. Not the primary objective, but to me it matters in how I value the experience.
For a course is there some golf history there? Is it private, which gives an air of exclusivity? I have anticipation if those are in place for example, like Christmas is coming.
Upon arrival is there a welcoming environment with bag drop, staff welcoming you and directing you for the next stage of your journey. Is there a clubhouse that has amenities that you can change your shoes and shower and relax after your round with a drink? Major priorities maybe not, but that really adds to the experience IMO.
Is there a nice restaurant/bar to have a quick breakfast/lunch before the round? Love doing this and then leisurely going to the driving range to warm up and then hit a few putts to get the feel for the greens. Are the balls pyramided and staff looking after the range? Big deal no, attention to detail yes!
If I'm getting a caddie it is nice to have the caddie with you on the range to get a feel for your game and talk to make the next 4 hour enjoyable together. I love getting a caddie and helps add to the experience tremendously, especially for courses I haven't played previously.
I really enjoy a welcoming starter, with water, tees, cards, pencils, ball marks, towels ect available at the first tee. This sets the tone for the group and prefer an old vet who can talk a quick story or joke to make you feel special and anchors some history of the course or area.
We haven't even gotten to the course and play yet, some are rolling their eyes and have given up even reading this because we are architecture purists right? Well sorry I view it like a great date with a women there is more to it than did you score!
I listed my preferences of essentials in another thread, which I enjoy as many of them can be combined into my course that day I tend to enjoy more.
Love having a halfway house that is well stocked with whatever drink/food//snack you need that can be ready quickly to not hold anyone up. It has been 2 hours so nice to relax and enjoy a drink/snack here.
I usually golf with my dad and brother on golf trips and we always take a photo together somewhere, thus I have to get one of these at an opportune moment and location for this course.
Upon completion I like to leave my bag and know it will be taken to the bag drop for collection after and flip a tip to the caddie and off to the locker room to shower and change. Head to the bar to catch a game on TV and some talk BS after our round.
I can say the one aspect I don't enjoy is feeling like every point of service you have to give a tip to the person. This is the same at some hotels, and prefer to give tips collectively when possible. One for clubhouse staff, one for caddie, one for restaurant staff. Just a pet peeve of mine as I am a good tipper, but when one guy takes my clubs out of my car, then another puts them on a cart I don't want to have to give each guy 2-3 bucks or feel obligated.
So in summation for me there is more to enjoying a course than the actual architecture as illustrated, although shooting a career best round would help!