Interesting topic, Dick. As a member of a "private"
Natl. Golf Properties/American Golf, I hear near constant complaints with an occasional benign compliment mixed in. Perharps there needs to be a distinction between member owned clubs and the private clubs that are owned by individuals or corporations.
Of the latter variety, I recently played the Kiawah Island Club courses, River and Cassique, and did not hear a single negative comment from members, staff, and others in the area not affiliated with the club. Here the managing partner, Pat McKinney, seems to be the key. He is a good golfer, a traditionalist at heart, and smart enough to break away from the cookie-cutter mold of high density golf development. I suspect that his financial situation is enviable, and I would give my right arm to live and play on his properties.
Of the equity clubs, Colonial CC in Fort Worth seems to have a fairly satisfied membership (with a 10+ year waiting list), though reportedly certain factions exist, and they don't always get along. For the most part, the many renovations over the years have been positive, though the club's insistence on growing bent grass on a heavily wooded river-bottom property is suspect. The site along with the small greens and huge membership makes conditioning an issue, though, reportedly, they have one of the highest maintenance budgets anywhere. The course is extremely busy, making outside play difficult, but seldom does it take more than four hours to play the course.