Wayne,
I was told the 2nd green was an original and was the green for a par 5, and was a MacDonald. The holes I like a lot were 6, 8, 11 and 16 and none of the others really stood out. The more I thought about it I remember my biggest disappointment were in the greens. Having only played it once the subtlety of the slopes affecting decisions all the way to the tee, which is a grandiose accomplishment anywhere, was completely lost on me. I know people say it is great and that the subtlety of the greens must be appreciated but it just didn't catch me the first time around. The first time I played Dornoch I had much the same feeling, but I stayed around for two more rounds out of fear there was something wrong with me, actually my third round was unscheduled, and after the third round I really started to find the course. NGLA on the otherhand captures your enthusiasm the first time out, there is no doubting that it is a very specail place once you walk off the first tee. Shinnecock was never better, other than the holes I mentioned, than on the first tee looking at the clubhouse and down the first tee. I was so pumped up I nearly ran down the first fairway, and I played very well in a sustained 40 mph wind which I never really noticed. The finishing holes 9 and 18 up the hill other than the view of the clubhouse were not much fun.
I was thinking about my modern comment. The only way I can explain it is to say that at Shinnecock you get the feeling it could have been created today for the most part, that the course is within the possibility of being created today, while NGLA and a few others you immediately know that there is no one alive today that could create that, or at least that is the sense you have that it is so special it is beyond the mindset of the modern architect.