I've spent 20+ years on golf courses in the US, and a little over a week on golf courses in the UK. Don't know if that makes my opinion worthwhile, but here it is.
Its more then about maintenance practices. Its about how the game itself is viewed. In the US, we think more, bigger, better is the answer to all our problems. In my very limited time in the UK, it semed to be more about just getting out and playing the game. No driving ranges, no short game/wedge game practice areas, just play the game. Here in the US, we equate good golf with good conditioning on a beautiful course with high levels of service. There, they just play the game. I've read enough to know there is a bit more to it then that, and a fair bit of Americanazation has gone on, but the golfing cultures seem to be very different, and it goes deeper then course conditions.
Having said that, I think I could make a fine living in the US on a nicely designed course cared for on the UK model as long as I had decent demograhics. Manicuring and detail maintenance work is way over-rated.