I found the golf culture in the UK superior to that in the US. When I arrived in the UK I had no idea what to expect in regards to golf, all I knew is that I wanted to play some links golf, but what I found was amazing.
The attitude was completely different that what I was accustomed to in the US. The club was very welcoming and made me feel right at home. I only knew one person in the UK that played golf before I joined, but after I was never short of a game and was welcomed into regular games that had been running for 20+ years. As a low handicap player, I find many people in the US are nervous to play with me, but I did not find that at all in the UK. People take their handicaps very seriously, and actually play to them. I found the matches much closer than at home, which leads me to believe that the handicaps were more accurate (although there were still the notorious bandits at the club). I really enjoyed that fact that all the clubs I visited were golf clubs, no pool, no tennis courts, no gyms and all the other non-sense that is pervasive in the US. You were there to golf, maybe a drink or dinner and some snooker afterward, but that was it. I found that the average British golfer has a better appreciation for the game. They seem to respect good play and realize what is good and what is not.
Although some may say that the clubs are a bit stuffier, with stricter dress codes (the longer socks rule with shorts at many clubs still boggles my mind) and more formal rules, I liked to sense of tradition that it created. Even with all the rules, the clubs were much more welcoming. I was able to play so many great courses with a phone call or email, something that is nearly impossible in the US (I understand some of it may have to do with taxes).
There seemed to be much more of a group mentality among the players. There was always a small wager and you always played with a partner. Everyone was included and everyone participated. It was more about the outcome of the match than about what you shot. The use of Stableford and partner games allowed for players to not even finish a hole if they were completely out of it (a great help to pace and to confidence, just picking up and not having to write down a large number made the next hole seem easier). This attitude seems to be more akin to that of earlier golf. It was about the match, not the score. That is completely unheard of in the US. Even if you play a match play game, nearly everyone will still keep their score.
We all know about the pace issue. It was great in Britain. I think much of it has to do with the fact that socializing and drinking was saved for after the round. In the US, the average golf will plan on spending 5-7 hours on a round of golf (getting there, warm-up, playing, a drink, getting home), and they plan to spend the majority of it on the course. In the UK, I think the time is about the same, but they plan to spend 3-4 playing and the rest in the 19th with their playing companions. A question that I would pose to US golfers, is it not more fun, enjoyable, relaxing, etc to socialize in the comfort of the clubhouse than while trying to play?
I have been lucky enough to grow up on and play finely conditioned courses in the US. I did notice that the conditions were not the same in the UK, but it did not bother me. I found that my ball sat well in the fairways and rolled true on the greens, what else do you need? It did not matter that it did not look perfect. The fact that the course changed throughout the year with the seasons was also exciting. The different shots that were require, and the different strategies that each hole needed made each round exciting and new. Too many courses play the same each and every time out, and therefore become boring quickly.
The only drawback I have found was upon returning the US after nearly two years. I thought the type of golf culture that exists in the UK was a thing of the past, but know that I have experienced it I want it here which is a bit of a longshot. Hopefully I can return soon.