Does a "strategic" hole include a hazard by definition?

A "strategic" hole in golf is defined by its design elements that challenge a player's skill and decision-making rather than by the presence of hazards. A hole can be considered strategic if it encourages various approaches to play, whether that means taking risks or playing conservatively, but this does not inherently require the inclusion of a hazard.

For instance, positioning of the fairway, the length of the hole, or the layout of the green can all create strategic considerations. The absence of a hazard does not diminish the strategic nature of a hole; instead, the challenge may come from other features of the course, such as elevation changes, strategic bunkering, or the angles of the fairways. While hazards can certainly increase the strategy involved, they are not a necessary component for a hole to be termed strategic.