In the past 8 years, I've been a member of our local county Men's Club and played that course once or twice a week but paid the relatively cheap green fee $26-9, each time I played. I would then play once or twice a week somewhere else to boot. Of course, when I take a few side trips out of the area, I try to play something new and interesting.
But this year, I bought the yearly unlimitted golf pass at our county course for a mere $1080, and I play it 3-4 times a week. I recently went a 10 day stretch where I played at the county course 8 times.
The thing is, we have a quality golf course and I do not get bored with that course or sick of golf in general, so that is a testiment to its design. I still try to get involved with some outside golf like GCA gatherings and this year got to 2 new and highly regarded courses I hadn't played before. I tend to play my outside golf locally at the same old places I love and don't try but one or two new ones a year locally.
While our county course isn't a private club, you'd be surprised at the dinner club they have leased to a private operator and the very reasonable prices. I would say we pay about 1/10th what a decent private club charges for dues and minimums and we get unlimitted golf, fine locker room-showers and what you pay for your food and bevridge which is good quality grub at moderate prices. So, I am very satisfied.
Brad, what sort of arrangements do they have at OSU courses? Do they have an unlimitted fee, and do they have a decent league or men's club sort of organization? I think that is the key to enjoying a public course. If they have a good pro, and good competitive program, and you can get decent food and drink afterwords, what more can a fellow ask for?