I'm interested to hear people's thoughts on these two courses.
I recently played NSW for the first time after hearing great things about it for years. I must say that I was a touch underwhelmed by NSW first outing. I'd like to play it again to see if I missed anything. I think there are a few holes that are quite blind or deceptive from the tee, the first time you play. Once you've played them you know where/how to play it off the tee second time around, which makes them pretty easy holes. I think it's a course that I could probably play to handicap on most days now that I know where to hit it, so I don't think it's overly difficult from the members tees. Things that impressed me about NSW were:-
1. the greens.
2. the elevation changes and drama this adds to a few holes.
I've played Barnbougle a few times now and i really rate it. I think there are only a couple of holes which are a little "blind", but even once you know what's coming, those holes don't get any easier. Eg. 3, 4, 9, 16, 18. The sense I got from Barnbougle is that it is "bigger" and more "honest" than NSW. There weren't really any mickey mouse holes that disappointed. Things that stand out to me about Barnbougle:
1. Good short holes (4 interesting par 3's and two excellent short par 4's)
4. Playability and fairness in all conditions
Both course have a lot of exposure to the wind and have appropriately wide fairways and greens. Both courses have birdie opportunities if you execute the risk/reward shots properly. Both courses require some thought and placement to hold greens and/or avoid the bunkering and swales.
Overall, I'd rate Barnbougle as a touch better overall, due to it's consistency and strong set of short holes. If Barnbougle had NSW's green surfaces and the drama of holes like 5 & 6 at NSW, it'd be the complete package.