I've only played NGLA once. I've played Old Mac about seven times (already! how about that!) and Ballyneal about 50 times. At one play, I'm not qualified to compare NGLA with anything, because it will lose, since I've only played it once. I will say this: my favorite stretch at NGLA was the long holes in the middle, six beauties back-to-back. I think I even remember the names: Road, Bottle, Long, Shinnecock, Double Plateau, Sebonack...I may have that last one wrong. Boy those are good holes, and it's always the shorties at the beginning and end of the round that get the love.
Another stray thought. Among the courses I've played, I believe Pacific Dunes would win a hole-by-hole comparison with any course.
Remember that thread a year or so ago where Ari T. was talking about the courses he had played. "Well I've played Sand Hills about a million times and Ballyneal about half a million and Pac Dunes about 500 and Old Mac about a thousand." That was a great one. That fella gets around.