The 2012 Ryder Cup was arguably the most dramatic in the event's history as Europe overturned a 10-6 deficit on the final day to secure an unlikely triumph.
Much of the build-up to the 2014 Ryder Cup, which starts at Gleneagles on Friday, has centred on how USA skipper Tom Watson can help his team eradicate the memories of that last-day capitulation at the Medinah Country Club two years ago.
However, McGinley is adamant that the 2012 contest left much for Europe to ponder as well.
"We learned a lot in Medinah too," he said. "It was a big learning curve for us.
"As part of the backroom team it was a big lesson for me personally in a situation where you're getting a walloping.
"I learned a lot from [2012 European captain] Jose Maria Olazabal and the structures he put in place to get us out of the situation we were in."
Europe are considered by many as favourites to clinch a third consecutive Ryder Cup, but McGinley insists it is too close to call.
"We're slight favourites, but we have been favourites before in the Ryder Cups, it's not like this first time," he added.
"I think our players have deserved it and it's a situation where, if we are going to be favourites, it's not something to be ashamed of.
"A little calculation I did myself when the teams were announced had Tom's team average rank at 16 and ours is 18. So this is not a weak American team."