Work less, play more. Get the reward out of playing your own course.
I have the advantage of being a co-owner, so splitting the workload. But we can go weeks without anyone coming out. And have other things in our life. So in summer, we only keep the course groomed enough that we can stand playing there---grass gets knee-high in places, or we mow narrow trails through the fairways so we can walk comfortably, and wade into the taller grass only to play our shots. When people do come out, we apologize in advance. Then in the fall we groom it, and enjoy it looking good through mid-spring (no snow here).
Because you're right, private courses aren't the wave of the future, at least the near future. Except in a few particular circumstances. Everywhere else, it just the low-volume, high-quality side of the sport.
I have the advantage of being a co-owner, so splitting the workload. But we can go weeks without anyone coming out. And have other things in our life. So in summer, we only keep the course groomed enough that we can stand playing there---grass gets knee-high in places, or we mow narrow trails through the fairways so we can walk comfortably, and wade into the taller grass only to play our shots. When people do come out, we apologize in advance. Then in the fall we groom it, and enjoy it looking good through mid-spring (no snow here).
Because you're right, private courses aren't the wave of the future, at least the near future. Except in a few particular circumstances. Everywhere else, it just the low-volume, high-quality side of the sport.