Just bumping this thread after playing RSGC recently. For the second time in three years.
I'm not sure there's a single hole of real quality there. Their best hole might be worse than the worst hole at The Lakes.
Lots of pararrel holes, with trees defining the holes.
Several greens angled to favor approaches from the unguarded outside of the dogleg,
with the less favorable inside line bunkered, often heavily.
The greens have a lot going on within them at times, while sitting on a site largely devoid of such movement.
The greens tie-ins don't seem to me to have been done with any sense of place.
The course feels over-bunkered, has lots of parallel holes, and to me feels poorly routed.
The attention paid to plantigs of native Australian flora is impressive - there's some wonderful specimens there.
The course is a nice walk - lots of birds, and nice grass, and it's in a great neighbourhood.
I wonder where it would rank if it sat in a non-descript outer suburb, devoid of the Royal insignia, with a humble clubhouse.
The Royal Sydney Golf Club itself is a glorious place, and a wondorous Club - make no mistake.
Their golf course however is just a course and nothing more IMHO.
MM