I enjoy KB, stress that, I really enjoy KB (cue controversy) but I feel it is a touch overrated.
The views do wonders for some pretty ordinary holes, while some of the better holes never get mentioned. When I say overrated it is still one of the best courses in Scotland and the runaway Scottish golf success story of the 21st century. I just dont think it has as good a collection of holes as many of the classics.
12 is stunning but there is not much there for me in terms of strategy. Hit a drive pretty much anywhere but hard left, hit a second shot anywhere but hard left, nice green....how many of those holes have you played?
For my money 17 is the best hole on the course and even though you are hard on the beach you dont really know it is there. Its the best driving hole on the course and probably the best green site too. Should have been 18 as that hole is such strange finish. In fact, 18 should be mentioned in the thread about holes that dont fit the course.
Both par 5s at the Old are better, all the 5s at Muirfield, 11 at North Berwick, 10 at Renaissance, 6 at Carnoustie, 2 at Royal Aberdeen, 17 at Moray Old...... there is also a really cool 5 at Mach Dunes but I was so confused by the hole numbering I forget which one.
In fact 11 at North Berwick is a good example here. Think of 12 at KB with dunes and bushes all the way down the left. Remind you of somewhere? Now put in a few well placed bunkers down the right to make you think about your drive. Now have a cool valley before the green that kicks any short approaches away from the green and gather to a bunker. Now have a great green that feeds left to right off a dune to a ribbon bunker. That is a good par 5.
That doesn't make 12 at KB a bad hole, I like it, its just an overrated one in my opinion.