Geoff's assessment of Friar's Head is right on the money.
I was out there ten days ago, and my head was spinning when I left. After seeing Friar's Head, I am convinced I know nothing about golf course architecture.
The main concern with the property seemed to be making the transition from the holes in the dunes in the north to the holes on the old farm land to the south. As Geoff points out, the southern holes are hardly just "in a field." In fact, the Cape-like 6th around a bowl is the best "found" hole I have seen in quite some time. The detail and thought that have gone into make the transition in and out of the dunes is just mind boggling.
Friar's Head appears to be the most strategic golf course I have seen in a long time (without intending to use hyberole, perhaps since the Old Course!). There are several holes with central hazards and alternate routes. One of the most appealing and admirable aspects is that the route a player chooses will likely vary as the wind and hole location varies (e.g., he might not always go left on the 11th).