You can play for $20 or less at Muni courses. Hardly a status symbol tbh. If you mean private country clubs, well the most exclusive and high status of these are often social clubs rather than golf clubs (ex: Pacific Union and Bohemian Club in SF), and the activity of golf and the private club status symbol are separate things.
Though... I have heard several times that "cycling is the new golf", and the $10,000 bikes some folks wield certainly speaks to the flaunt your wealth side of things.
Anyways, for any expensive activity, I'm sure there are some people doing it as part of the status climb, some doing it to hang out with some power network, and some doing it purely for the joy of the activity.
Addendum: Skiing is way more expensive than golf due to the travel and lodging that is almost a necessity in the States.
I'm going to guess you live in or near San Francisco? Your view of golf is going to be skewed by that. While the Bay Area has extremely expensive and exclusive golf courses, it also uniquely has .. relatively.. affordable ones.
But consider even $20 to play a game involving a stick and ball is actually still quite expensive to a child, so that's still a really high barrier to entry for a lot of people.
Outside urban areas, there are still plenty of small local country clubs that provide "unlimited" golf facilities for Members & their kids for affordable rates. $100-300/month depending on area, quality, etc...
GolfNow and other TeeTime booking sites allow for discounted rounds in your area.
Its not as cheap as Tennis & Basketball, but its not a game for the Rich and Famous only.
Though... I have heard several times that "cycling is the new golf", and the $10,000 bikes some folks wield certainly speaks to the flaunt your wealth side of things.
Anyways, for any expensive activity, I'm sure there are some people doing it as part of the status climb, some doing it to hang out with some power network, and some doing it purely for the joy of the activity.
Addendum: Skiing is way more expensive than golf due to the travel and lodging that is almost a necessity in the States.