Every golf course or golf course project is different, but there is no doubt that most people simply do not care as much as the people on this forum and in all honesty this forum whilst 'together' is a very minority opinion. Most golfers are pretty clueless as to who designed their home course let alone familiar with styles, with the exception of Palmer, Nicklaus, Trent Jones and perhaps some will know about Pete Dye, the architect otherwise is rather meaningless.
The average joe is concerened as much about riding in a cart, does the halfway house make a nice sandwich, is the beer good, is the grass good quality, are the greens fast, does the course look pretty, is it nice and green, the striped fairways, is the beer cart girl hot. The course itself needs to be a reasonable challenge without losing zillions of balls in long rough. I would say golfers hate three putting so big undulating greens will be a minus factor in enjoyment quality to many and there are people that feel that greens themselves should not penalise you (I am not saying they are right) once you have got there. Long shaggy rough around bunkers is a thumbs up to some and a thumbs down to others.
Price will always be a big factor, there are more people willing to play if its cheaper, location is a big factor equated with other golf courses within your area. If you want a specific course to target a certain sector understand you will exclude some then location can play a big factor and you might succeed, areas do need a range of courses.
I dont know much about Bandon as a buisness, but the courses look great and I would fancy a trip there with my buddies, however none of them will go because of its location. A few hours drive from the nearest airport must be a massive inhibitor. In the UK Dornoch is miles from chimmney pots, if it was nearer it would be more of a commercal sucess, although things dont always have to be commercial of course.