I have had the good fortune to play Whisper Rock several times in past few years.
A few comments about the golf courses and the overall atmosphere:
The Lower Course (designed by Mickelson) is extremely difficult, and I would venture that anyone with a handicap above single digits will struggle mightily - a few long carries, extremely quick greens (13), very severe around the greens if you miss, and the necessity to hit high soft shots to the greens in order to hold them. The areas around the greens really reflect Phil's influence - you better be able to hit a high, spinning flop shot off an extremely tight lie or you're going to have a long day. That course is just too difficult for me, although it's easy to see why the many tour pros who belong there like the Lower Course so much - it's maintained in PGA tournament conditions at all times and can really test the abilities of good players.
The Upper Course (Tom Fazio) is by far the most scenic of the two courses as it meanders up into the mountains - the short par 4 13th which is pictured on the website is a stunning hole visually and a lot of fun to play. It requires a very precise pitch to a small green - miss the green long by 3 yards and you're in the mountain. The conditioning of the upper course is ever bit the equal of the Lower Course, with extremely quick greens and immaculate fairways and rough. For me, the Upper Course offers more options to play the holes for higher handicap players as there are several holes where you can run the ball onto the green. There are also very few holes with a long forced carry off the tee.
If I were playing 10 rounds at WR, I would play 8 Upper and 2 Lower.
A quick anecdote about WR that I think sums up the atmosphere - 2 years ago I played in the Member Guest Tournament and Fred Couples was a participant as a guest of a member. His handicap for the tournament was +5 and his team finished middle of the pack in their flight. The interesting thing for me to observe was how we was treated by the staff and tournament participants (both members and guests) - he was treated just like any other participant and was not doted on whatsoever. In the 3 days, I don't recall a single incident of someone asking for an autograph, asking to take a picture, etc. - not one single time. Quite the contrary, he seemed to blend in perfectly and was just hanging out with his buddies, drinking a beer and watching sports on TV.
Because there are so many PGA pros at WR, it's very common to see them when you're on the property, and it's always the same - they just blend in and are treated just like everybody else. I was having lunch one day and Phil Mickelson was at the table next to me and absolutely nobody took notice of him being there. On another occasion, I was hitting shots out of a practice bunker and there was another player in the bunker also. He introduced himself and said, "Hi, I'm Geoff" as if I would have no idea who he was even though he was the reigning US Open Champion at that time. The nicest, most humble guy you will ever meet.
One final comment - the locker room staff, headed by Mike Marranzino, is phenomenol. I am there only once per year, and he not only remembers my name, but what I like to drink. By the way, all the stories about the famous chocolate milkshakes are true - they're devastating. I also like that everyone at WR - members, staff, professionals, caddies - are on a first name basis. It just has a very relaxed vibe that is very appealing - just like hanging out with a bunch of buddies you've known a long time. Hence the phrase that Phil Mickelson inscribed on the Masters Flag that hangs in the WR trophy case "To the boys of WR, it's all about the hang."
Jim