Don’t forget the “American model” provides public access to more than 70% of the golf courses in the United States.
The conversation gets distorted when the “American model” is assumed to mean private clubs.
Look, I want to be as respectful as possible, but there isn't a way to argue my point here without ruffling some feathers. The American model is obviously not a pure model of private clubs, but it
is one of partition and exclusion. Suggesting that the access economy that exists in America isn't culturally problematic might go over just fine in an invite-only forum, where the folks least affected are the only ones who can respond, but it is obviously a major concern for many of the
hoi polloi in other forums like reddit.
European model is very nice if you are a golf architecture junkie and can afford a plane flight across the pond, but it really isn’t so great for locals who aren’t members of a club.
Again, the idea that everything must be a sub-$100 green fee for it to be accessible misses the point. I've played the Old Course, and paid a healthy fee, the point is that the only reason I was able to do it at all is because they
do allow access. Were one to seek out similar historic clubs in America they'd likely be limited to Downers Grove, and not, say, Dorset, or Shinnecock, or the Country Club, or Chicago... I could go on.
Just setting aside a lottery for 14 or 30 days, or even just 1 day, per year for the general public would cost clubs very little, but would do wonders for golf's status in American culture. No, that wouldn't allow everyone to play, but that's not the point. The point is about just acting neighborly. Ultimately we're all in this together, so maybe be generous when you can... and not just with a big check.
Instead, I have to volunteer at organizations whose sole purpose is to preserve municipal golf courses, because the sport is
so hated for it's culture of exclusion, that the public is willing to take out there anger at
exactly the wrong courses (
note: I reference Coaston because her piece illustrates that hatred can be misplaced, but still be politically potent).
So, you're in the UK. I agree that it's not a perfect system, but there are plenty of public assess courses (I played them as a grad student when facing a nasty exchange rate during my time in Edinburgh). I don't moan about access because I am bitter I can't play some of these places (I'll probably never play Pebble Beach even though I easily could, and I would likely never play Augusta even if offered). I moan about access because I care deeply about golf and golf culture in America, and those wonderfully inexpensive accompanied guest rounds come with
serious costs to folks outside those gates.
The purely symbolic act of providing limited access, especially at the historic and prestigious archetypes of golf, completely changes the greater public's view of the game. As someone who has spent a substantial amount if time in both cultures, this is so clearly evident it's hardly worth discussing. Thankfully this is becoming more common in America with golf's social media events (e.g. Fried Egg, Golfers Journal, or Random Golf Club events), and
many thanks to the clubs who choose participate in them.