Local private clubs used to be the haven of professional men. They went on the weekend, played golf with other well connected, professional men in their neighborhood. The clubs also offered ammenities for their wives and children ie. pools, social clubs, social events. The private club was designed to be a lifestyle choice.
Today, family life is very, very different. Families are now super busy 7 days a week. Kids are involved in a variety of activities and need to be driven to those activities. Women are now fully part of the workforce and work just as many hours as their husbands. There are many, many more social and entertainment opportunities for families such as television, the internet, theme parks, sporting events, etc.
All of that takes away from the time a family spends at a private country club. Instead, I think what you'll see is guys taking trips to a remote golfing sites like Sand Hills, Bandon, Ballyneal and others, and simply binge on golf for 4 or 5 days. Then, they fly back to their lives at home and all that they have to offer.
A good friend of mine is doing just that. He LOVES golf, would play it every day if he could. But, he can't. He is in his mid 30's, has two kids, works like a dog at a very good job. His weekends are maxed out either with work or family. He wants to make sure when he is not working, he is spending quality time with his kids and wife. So he has played little local golf. Instead, his intention is to join a private club at a remote site and visit there perhaps twice a year and just play golf all day long.
For him, this private club offers everything he could want, golf and only golf. There is lodging on site, no pool or other distractions. The course is basically empty when he will be visiting, the golf is of the highest quality, so the course simply fits his lifestyle better than a traditional, local country club.