Funny this thread has appeared as I played there a couple of weeks ago (Highlands) and can't stop thinking about it.
From what I know from some members is that Riverside is preferred 10-1 to Highlands and is getting more than 70% of the play. The fairways at Highlands are very rough right now and the greens are pretty so so as well, they recently converted to Bermuda. I was told that it is the only course in the country with Diamond Zoysia fways. They appeared to not have come in well at all and there is a rumor that they have tons of work to do to get them in good shape.
IMO, IMO
I played Highlands a couple of weeks ago for the first time since I learned the little I now know about GCA and thought it was pretty piss poor. The fairways are to narrow and bordered on 90 percent of the holes by extremely deep bunkers on one side and either water or deep bunkers on the other side, the greens are pretty bland as well, at least I don't remember thinking any of them were very good.
I think the membership must have been pissed about the winning score of the 01 PGA because how I see it there is no way the pros can shoot a good score out there, much less any high digit; or for that matter low digit player. The recent "remodel" has many design flaws as I see it, the 14th hole has about a 20 yd wide fway with extremely deep bunkers on the right and a tree blocking the approach from the left half, it is just silly, as the preferred angle is from the left. 15 from the back tee measures 260 and is 100 percent carry over water, with as hard as the greens will be in the tournament I can actually see pros laying up as landing a driver or 3 wood, or for that matter a hybrid on the green and not having it roll into the back bunkers from 260 is impossible. #8 is a 480 yd par 4 with a fway that is as narrow as any I have seen with extremely deep bunkers right and water left, if I was a pro I would seriously consider just blowing it over the bunkers on the right as the fway is just to narrow and intimidating. To each there own but it is just not my cup of tee as there seems to be little if no strategy as the fairways are to narrow in every instance to have a preferred side. It has some good holes for sure and it is an amazing place, the letter from Bobby Jones is actually hanging up in the clubhouse and is pretty cool to see.
Riverside is perfectly conditioned right now and IMO a fun golf course; I can see how the members prefer it, I think the 2nd hole is great, the approach is similar to 17 at Congressional.
3 out of 4 of the par 3's on highlands are almost the same, long all carry over water.....they do have pretty stone bordering the water if you like that kind of thing.
Just my opinion and I am no expert.