I played Friar's Head twice recently and wanted to comment.
I was going to post on Bill Shultz's terrific "C&C's worst holes" thread, but after thinking it over for a few weeks, I'm just not up to the task. I suppose there is a "worst" hole at Friar's Head, like at any course, but there certainly isn't a bad hole anywhere. Instead, I thought I would go back to the original thread and add here.
I enjoyed the first hole - plays a bit like 18 at Wykagyl with less trouble. Bit of a gentle handshake, but it does require an accurate pitch or you might have trouble getting up and down for par since the green, like most at FH, is subtly tricky.
The potato field holes are all really solid. I really don't understand any criticism of these. Sure, many are taken from the C&C playbook but are terrific holes. Case in point, the dogleg left #6 reminded me a lot of a hole at Streamsong Red (can't remember which #) and is a great risk-reward hole as far as the line you take off the tee.
#7 green is borderline too severe to me, but appropriate for a short-ish par 5.
I could see how someone could think #10 is gimmicky with the dune in front of the green, but I think they pulled it off and ended up creating one of the best and most memorable par 3s I've ever played.
Of course, the dunes holes are simply spectacular. 15 of course is amazing, but 14 might be my favorite. I love both playing the hole, and the anticipation of seeing those steps leading to 15, knowing you are about to approach one of the most amazing views in golf.
The clubhouse is of course very posh, but I found it very classically done and actually not too big.
I know we talk all the time here about the latest course being but or renovated, or wherever the pros are playing. That's natural. But stepping back and thinking about all the great courses that have been built over the last 10-15 years, I'd say golf is doing pretty well for a sport that's "dying".
In summary, Friar's Head is simply great, one of my best golf experiences ever, and certainly the best modern course I've played (though I haven't been to Sand Hills or Bandon yet - but will rectify one of those next month!).
If Friar's isn't a 10, then I don't know what a 10 is.