John,
That is just an example of an affordable great course. They exist in every locale.
Using you as an example...Wouldn't you agree that a critic who is a member of a private course better suited to judge private courses? Isn't depending on advice from a guy like you kind of like asking a Priest for marriage advice? I think if you joined a club no matter how inexpensive you would be a better critic. If you are a better critic then it follows that the game is better for it...It really is quite simple.
Using me as an example...
I used to live in Winter Park where the only private club option within 20 minutes is Interlachen. The initiation fee is $50,000 or more for an equity golf membership. With a newborn it would be irresponsible to deploy that much money there, with college to save for and everything else.
17 months ago I moved to Oviedo where the only only private club option within 30 minutes is Tuskawilla. Decent golf course and very affordable for a family. Non-equity, so you don't have as much of a commitment.
My son is now 6 and he has participated in many activities. If he consistently wants to play golf it may make sense to join Tuskawilla, but to do so if he's not interested in playing only means that my use of the membership takes time away from the family...something I am not interested in doing.
The golf club I'd love to join is Sugarloaf Mountain, but it was built 49 miles from our new home. They're having trouble attracting members due to a remote location and sluggish housing market.
Daily fee choices in Orlando don't offer a 'club' feel. Not only that, I'm most likely to play golf in the evening by myself or with one friend. I choose not to spend too many of my weekend mornings playing golf. That'll change in 10 years when my son is older.
Evaluating a golf course's design doesn't have much to do with a course's structure. A contrasting opinion would say that someone playing the same course repeatedly doesn't have time to see as many other courses.
Seems like you want everyone to be like you...even people you don't know. That's odd.