At least golf is relevant enough to make a living off hating it in public. Anything that stirs up emotions about the game can only help it. If "golf hate" really becomes a thing, then I expect to see a massive influx of self-proclaimed contrarians into our clubs.
The point about land consumption is true, though. Not much of an issue in the US, where a lot of undeveloped land is available. But in denseley populated countries like Germany or, even worse, Japan you will have to justify taking 150 acres to build a golf course, which will then be used by just 500 people. When instead you could build other recreational or sports facilities, which could accommodate many more.
The argument that "a golf course is always better than a supermarket" may be valid in the US. But if you have land that is zoned out for recreation (and densely populated countries will zone that out, otherwise they'd have no recreational areas at all), then supermarkets and other nastiness are out. It's then "golf course vs. public park" and that's hard to win for golf. Not impossible though, because the guy building a golf course makes money, whereas the park only costs taxpayer money. So if the builder can integrate enough public usage facilities (like a skate park or hiking trails), then he may well get the nod.