Either Sunningdale track is wonderful; I guess I'd choose the Old if only one round, but my blood brother I've traveled with (all over the UK, Ireland and America) thinks the New is even better. Of course, the "New" is something like 90 years old - as silly a moniker as the "New Course" at St. Andrews.
One impression I took from the Old is a certain magical quality. It meanders along in such a wonderfully elegant and seamless way, two hours later you find yourself standing on the 16th tee, wondering how you got there without the tiniest sensation of rushing along.
I guess the ultimate selection is Swinley. I don't know if Sec. Ian Pierce is still there, but he was kind enough to play with me many years ago and it remains one of the high points of my golfing life. I wandered into the bar for a quick pint afterwards while Ian went off to deal with something.
There was a small table by the window - the room was otherwise empty - and this man comes tottering in, grabs a pint and asks if he might join me. He pulls up a chair and to my shock, it is the great Peter Allis - only my favorite golf commentator in the universe.
And yes, he is every bit as erudite and charming in person. I am not impressed by celebrities, but I got on the train wishing I'd been able to spend a day just hearing his wonderfully told yarns.
As to the golf course, when the heather is in full bloom, you've never seen anything like this, I promise. Every single element is in perfect proportion, in just the right place. #12 is the epitome of simple genius; it will rate top-5 most outstanding longish par-4s you've ever seen.
And like Sunningdale, you'll want to run straight back to the 1st tee and do it again.