As a kid, I sketched golf holes during my Latin class and my Dad’s sermons. (Sorry, Dad).....And no design ability is your penance? 
As to your question, not every course is designed to be great. In the case of muni courses particularly, we are often given the directive to be "serviceable" or the emphasis is placed on pace of play, easy to play, etc. All courses should be "good" if designed by a competent architect. But hey, even if all were great, someone would start a ranking, and sooner or later, only the top 5-10% would be judged as great.
Not to mention, on many lower budget courses, maintenance plays a role in perception, and lower budget courses often lose the "crisp" factor that higher budget courses can provide. That said, a modestly budgeted course in design, construction, and maintenance that really stands out is really exceptional.
Great land is a benefit, but as you point out, there are many great courses on average land. Perhaps the saddest courses are below average courses on great land.
To specifically answer your question, it's pretty easy......find a natural hole on the property, then rinse, lather, and repeat 17 more times.
You are welcome!