Interesting topic, John.
In general, I'd say that public courses HAVE survived because traditionally they knew/understood the golfing public, or at least THEIR SEGMENT of that golfing public.
The trouble may be that, now, the golfing public -- like the public at large -- has become much more fickle and, as green fees go up, more demanding (and so green fees go up even further etc etc). And their demands are based on notions of quality and a quality experience that may have less to do with the golf course itself than ever before.
I think your desire is play less well-know modern courses so as to add your comments/recommendations to the vast sea of public opinion is a good thing in that regard
Peter