JKM,
I think golfers like to play/experience the same course that the PGA Tour golfers play.
I'd like to play WS.
But, I wouldn't like to play it on an daily basis.
I recognize that it's a resort, a destination and as such it doesn't march to the same drummer as a local or private club.
I could play Oakmont every day.
I'm sure my handicap might get an adjustment, but, I think you can figure the course out.
To MY mind, Oakmont is a DRIVING course.
I think most, if not all of the membership adjusts to the greens.
I don't know that the membership can adjust to the fairway bunkering.
When I see a good number of PGA Tour Pros, playing their best golf, double and triple bogeying holes, it sends a signal to me that perhaps the course is too penal, especially since it's a windy site.
Would I pay $ 360 to play a round ? Yes
Would I pay a price commensurate with other clubs to join it ? I doubt it.
I want to enjoy myself when I play golf, not torture myself.
I also don't want to play well, have 16 pars and birdies and two X's
Getting back to the maintainance issue, if WS was member owned, you'd see numerous changes.
But, the owners have very deep pockets and it's visually stimulating for the retain golfer, who they want to attract.
While watching yesterday, the man next to me, who owns and operates private and public courses, who's played WS numerous times, told me that it was a maintainance nightmare, including expenses.