RStG have tee times fo non-members often off the 10th tee and outside of "peak" member hours. They even allow 3 and 4 balls on a Tuesday to cater for visitor demand. The HCEG allow visitors on 2 days a week, I cannot imagine the members are caused too much inconvenience.
Sunningdale allows visitors and corporate golf Mon-Thursday, I guess there is always a course available to the members.
Everything is horses for courses, some US clubs charge more in monthly dues than a few UK clubs charge their members for a years golf. However visitors not only pay greenfees but also spend money in the bar and restaurant, US clubs clearly have minimum spends to enable a full service to take place.
I guess my membership and total spend at my club last year was around £2000 that includes all golf, food, bar bills, summer ball for 2, etc. My initiation in 1999 was £250. We have reciprocal arrangements with 25 clubs around the world including several world top 100 venues and enjoy limited local reciprocal arrangements with some very fine clubs when we are closed for events. All in all I believe my membership gives me fantastic value for money.
Could I get the same stateside for under $10 000 a year at a US top 50 club? I guess in the UK we are used to paying considerably less for club life.