NSW would have to be one of the most unique golf courses out there, so its no surprise that it elicits mixed feelings from all and sundry. I play there reasonably regularly, about as often as I visit Sydney.
I have actually found that the more I play, the less I like it. Given I fell head over heals in love with it upon my first game, I'm still quite close to the old girl and still enjoy every hit. The most enjoyable aspect is that unless you get a still day, its almost like playing a new course every time, unless you are a weekly player, which is a great feature of a course I visit 3-4 times a year.
My favourite hole is the 5th by a large margin, and quite clearly the 6th is a wonderful hole - although I'm not sure it is great architecture. I don't think I could find a golf architect who couldn't build that hole on that site and make it great, so its my position that it certainly could have been better. I'm not sure how it could be better (thats why I'm not an architect!), but I agree with comments earlier that the green just isn't pleasing to look at, which is an achievement given how beautiful the location.
I read in today's paper that the Australian Open practice rounds were played yesterday and many gave up, one player reported hitting a 60m 5-iron! On such an exposed site, this is always a risk, and I'm not sure anythng can be done to prevent this happneing during the event.
It is quite clearly in my view the best course in NSW, and I'd actually have Newcaslte 2nd, ahead of Royal Sydney. Although RS has imprvoed significantly since the renovation and I agree that the first is an excaptional hole that perhaps doesn't get the kudos it deserves. Unfortunately, both Newcastle and NSW need significant work to reach their potential, far too overgrown in many areas - this seems to be the lot of many courses today though.