Regardless of their size and character, under NO circumstances should the speed of the practice green be different from that of the course.
For the record, my two favorite are Bandon Dunes, not the practice facility and Crystal Downs. Ambiance (sp?) could have something to do with it too 
I agree.
That was the weird thing about Royal County Down's practice area. They day we were there, they have the one small putting green that is severely sloped but the same speed as the course. Then they have the one MASSIVE putting green with slopes, flat areas, and PLENTY of space, but at least the day we were there, this area was shaved about the length of the fairway. Maybe it is meant more for a chipping area, but for a course of that nature, I don't think the other small putting green is big enough.
With all the people waiting to tee off, there isnt enough room on the tiny putting green for people to ready their putting game.
For the record, I enjoyed Portrush's putting green, although it could use some slopes in it. It is very, very true, as a putting green should be- almost completely free of marks. And it has a nice little pond in the middle
