Most locals don't appreciate the Goat
The few that like it play there because it's generally empty
There are/were a lot of good public options on the north fork and just west,Tallgrass, LI National (now private), Calverton Links (fate TBD),Cherry Creek (2 courses) Island's End, Great Rock (fate TBD), Pine Hills, Old Vine, Swan Lake,and about a half dozen others in an area without a lot of population.
and many of those are the same price as The Goat for a rider-and the ferry ride is bit longer from the North Fork
(12 minutes vs. 5)
If you're not a pretty good player, the Goat is awfully hard because you're generally hitting out of a tight, bare or cuppy lie, and missing your spot by 10 yards can result in a 50 yard different outcome.
Also,even though it's relatively short, it's a much harder course if you're a short hitter as if you can't get over the hills 230-260 out you lose a lot of roll and your second is exponentially harder.
The Goat is the ultimate test of would you choose interesting fun golf with poor conditioning over medioce architecture(Cherry Creek) with better conditioning.
We all have our limits in this area, and yesterday the moistness of the "turf" yesterday tested my limits.
I also don't enjoy The Goat as much in a typically wet May when the weeds/approaches are being allowed to grow long(as in 2 inches) so that there might be some grass there come August-