Some of the comments here are precisely the reason some people, with the means to do so, do not want to join private clubs. I would need to be paid to be around some of these attitudes.
Let me throw out a couple of real world thoughts here. My area has one club that does not list their rates online. They have a website where you can view information and read about the course. It is in great condition, has a well-known designer, has a sizeable initiation and I honestly have no idea on the monthly prices. There is a waiting list to get OUT and they can sell their memberships for whatever amount they like. It is part owned by the membership and part by another entity. I would wager any member there has the money to continue to stay a member there as long as they like, but they don't feel they get the value they would like.
Another club, is the "old money" of my area. If you are not a member you can only see the homepage. It is an early 1900's design by a well known designer that has been modified a couple times I believe. I have no idea of initiation or monthly fees.
Another, down the street from the first, has all information online and is probably the only club in the area to have a waiting list to get IN. If it were closer to my home it would be in consideration of a club I would join.
Another, closer to my home has most of their information online except for all pricing, is run by a golf club company, has a small initiation, is not full, and decent prices. It is a generally unwalkable subdivision course so it does not really interest me.
I say this to say it is all about value. The first is one you would think would have an initiation to get in, but the players arent getting the value. The second probably has a similar price to the first, but nobody would ever know. They are ultra exclusive and they may not even have minority members here in 2014. The third is an active club that is probably the second or third membership of many of the first two. The fourth is a good course, presents the illusion of exclusivity, yet actually has room for members based on conversations I have had. The place I would like to join is the one with info online, although it is probably more expensive than the last and is actually, if pressed to join somewhere besides where I am, would be the place I had to join because of proximity and facilities.
Another club in town is very in tune with social media and up to date information on their website. It's a decent course, in a subdivision but not crowded. They actually are the most expensive of the two courses I spoke of I would consider. They have a huge clubhouse with an excellent practice facility, tennis courts, two pools, etc. They were on the verge of bankruptcy a decade ago. They re-structured, built the best or second best online presence in the area, maintained an upscale profile, and are not full on membership, but have a good number. Roughly half of their membership is under 50. This model lets me believe there is something to the transparency and younger generation responding to them embracing the fact that they actually live in this century and not the previous one like so many others that are struggling.
A lot of the people here that are pushing for info online, do hold memberships, and are in the generation that should be focused on by struggling clubs. I think instead of the old guard pushing back on the customers they should be attempting to gain, they should shut up and listen so they have a place to play.