Turnberry
Recently played Turnberry so I can say that I have played the Mackenzie Ross and Martin Ebert versions.
What makes you say it is overrated?
Hi Ben!
I played both versions as well (Albeit, only the one time each). I didn't find any of the greens really worthy of study, and didn't feel there were any holes that you could argue might make an all UK eclectic (maybe 10 or 15 if you were clutching at straws). Strategically, it doesn't feel quite on the same level as a Muirfield or the variety of a Royal St Georges, which is kind of the ratings that it's playing within, and I don't love the routing and how it only tackles the coastline in one direction and all at once. Views are great; it's a very good links course, but I would happily take Brancaster, Cruden Bay, Machrihanish, or Rye over Turnberry - all of which are rated much lower.
Curious on your thoughts of the course.
As an overall golf facility it is tremendous what they have on offer. The 7th green on Ailsa is a great green however sadly that is going as Martin Ebert is relocating the green to the coast and straightening up hole 8.
Regarding the Ailsa - the new first green is a replica of the original, 2 and 3 are as they are, holes 4 and 5 the greens have been moved further forward. 6 has been shortened 7 is to change. 8 is a great hole. 9 could have been better maybe a short par 4 rather than an ok par 3.
10 is an all world hole. 11 is stunning but as a hole not too sure. 12 and 13 is as before, 14 has been changed. 15 and 16 is more or less before. 17 has been shortened to allow for a longer and straighter 18th.
Your comment about the holes being in a similar direction on the coast - maybe it could be better if 10 to 14 were in reverse with 14 being 10, 13 being 11, 12 being 12 in reverse and 11 being 13 and 14 as a par 5 in reverse of 10 - that could work and still be stunning holes.
The course was green!!! - it is known that the Trumps are a not a fan of brown courses which is also visible at Aberdeen and Doonbeg which means it loses a bit of its firm and fast surfaces. The greens are however really nice to putt on.
Cheers
Ben