On the Spyglass thread, Pete Lavallee said:
I always found it counterintutive that the finest stretch of holes would come first.
Spyglass Hill seems to be the poster-child for courses that "peak early"--that is, their best holes are found in the opening stretch.
What other courses share this characteristic, and how does it affect your evaluation of the course?
Off the top of my head, I think of Royal County Down, which is wonderful throughout but especially at the beginning, as the course starts by the sea and gradually moves inland. In particular, the first 5 holes are excellent, as is the stretch around the turn, but of the last 7 holes only 2 are as inspiring (the 13th and 15th). However, the setting itself is so inspiring that a relatively weak finish (relative to what came before it--they're fine but not great holes) doesn't affect my regard for the course at all--it is still probably my favorite course in the world (right there with Sand Hills and Pine Valley).
With today's stroke play mentality, it does seem counter-intuitive to place the best holes early in the round, but for older courses built when match play was predominant, it would make sense not to save the best for the finishing stretch when many matches would end before these holes would be played.
I have heard that Machrihanish is another course whose best holes come early, but have never played there.
What other courses have their finest stretch of holes early in the round, and how does it affect how those courses are evaluated?