What makes certain college golf courses considered 'hard'?

I've been into golf since middle school and am considering playing at the college level. I heard some college golf courses are known to be 'hard.' What characteristics make them earn this title? Is it based on the layout, natural obstacles, or something else?

Yes, the perceived difficulty of the golf course can come from a variety of factors. Here are some elements that can contribute to a course being labeled as 'hard':

1. Course Layout: The arrangement of the greens, fairways, and tee boxes can have a large impact on course difficulty. Considerations include hole lengths, water hazards, bunkers, and fairway widths among others.

2. Natural Obstacles: The presence of natural obstacles such as bodies of water, trees, or rough terrain can significantly affect the difficulty of a course. These elements can provide a challenge to even the most experienced golfers.

3. Green Complexes: The size, shape, and slope of the greens also play a big part in course difficulty. Larger or more sloped greens can make it tricky to land a ball.

4. Course Conditioning: This refers to how well-maintained the course is. High-quality courses that are kept in excellent condition year-round will be more predictable and, therefore, a bit easier to play on.

5. Weather Conditions: Weather can drastically affect the difficulty of a course on any given day. Wind can throw off your swing and make the course more challenging, while rain can slow things down and make the greens less predictable.

6. Course Length: Typically, the longer the course and the farther the holes, the more difficult the course will be.

No two golf courses are the same, and each will have unique elements that can influence how challenging the course is. Some college golf courses are also designed with specific strategy plays in mind, requiring a higher level of skill and experience to navigate effectively. This might explain why some college golf courses have a reputation for being particularly tough.