John...
I'll actually jump on your bandwagon and add 2 cents of my own.
First off, regarding JC's post and your comments regarding financial stability of private clubs. If he pays the guest fee, it is a win-win. No?
Secondly, and in line with the more important point, I think golf clubs might be their own worst enemy. I've heard many, many stories of golf clubs giving away free rounds. Maybe it is free rounds to employees on their off day and they tee off before the members. Maybe it is friends and family of the head pro. Whatever. These are rounds played that aren't generating any revenue for the clubs. Waste, shrinkage, pick your term....it doesn't matter. The management of these clubs are giving away their product and getting nothing in return. Not good business, in my opinion. If a club gives away one foursome per day and, lets assume, the fee is $50 then for the calendar year that is a little less than $75,000. I am not familiar with the economics of a golf club, country club, and the salary structure...but how many jobs could that $75,000 create? Two, probably. How many golf clubs in the US alone? 15,000-ish. Isn't that 30,000 jobs potentially thrown away?
Finally, there is no doubt I am no golf industry expert...so take or leave my comments. And maybe I am the ignorant idiot as I belong to two clubs and am looking to join #3. Nevertheless, I agree with the sentiment of your post John.