JakaB,
The American model IS the best if your goal is making golf more expensive. I don't know what the percentage is of US golfers in private clubs versus the UK and Australia/NZ, but I would guess the latter is much higher. Why? Because more golfers can afford it that's why. Yes, visitors are subsidizing the elite courses to some extent, but that cost still won't come close to what initiation fees and dues come to over here. To think of joining a private club in my area of NoCal just the initiation is exorbitant. I could practically play at Pebble Beach on a monthly basis for the rest of my life and come out ahead.
Plus with the UK model you don't need to know the secret handshake.
Ed,
I seem to know two things about you...One being that you have dedicated your life to the improvement of the health of young children with little regard to capital gain and two, you have played every great course in this country that you choose. I can't see a man in your position in B&I having the same opportunities. Great golf is less expensive in America because members subsidize their friends instead of profiting from them.
I have to jump in here... It's far easier to get on the classic, private courses in the UK than it is in the US. Many times all that is required is a simple letter from your club secretary, or even a direct and polite phone call yourself. Try that at Seminole, Augusta National or multiple other courses in the US.
Because annual subs and joining fees are lower, there is generally more outside play to raise revenues. If you are a visitor then you will normally be paying a significant amount of money (but usually not more than £150). If, however, you are playing with a Member the green fee tumbles (we charge £30 for a guest). More outside play = more opportunities to play the classic courses. Lower joining fee and lower subs = more opportunity to join a classic course.
There is no way playing the top end US courses is cheaper than doing the same in the UK. For a start, in order to belong at one of the top US courses I would imagine the majority of people will be successful businessman (or would need to be to fund the joining fee!). That certainly isn't the case here. I doubt I would be able to afford to be a Member at one of the elite US clubs, whereas here it is much more affordable.
UK clubs are far more welcoming to visitor play, and far more accommodating. I think on a month long trip - if well planned - you could probably play pretty much every classic private course in the UK (Swinley Forest could be difficult). The cost would depend on whether you knew Members at each club, but you'd have the option to choose whether you considered it good value to do so. At least you'd have the choice as to whether to pay it - in the US unless you know someone you're not getting on a lot of the classic courses.