Lower skill level vs. Nicer golf courses?

Slow play is not any more or less acceptable on a $60 course than a $90 course to be honest. That said, every course has their own policy on slow play; some enforce it by forcing players to pick up their balls and catch up, and others do not. Personally, I've found that courses tend to enforce pace of play when they have a pace of play problem, and pace of play problems usually are a result of difficulty, not the price of admission. Look at the slope ratings for each of the courses. The course that has the lower slope is more likely to be forgiving for the high handicap player. Second, discuss pace of play with your group and tell them that you need to maintain pace, whether you're benchmarking against the suggested time on the card (usually around 2:10 per nine) or against the groups in front of you. If you fall behind, pick up your balls and catch up. As long as you keep up with the group in front of you you'll almost never have a problem with other groups, or the course management.

Call ahead Find out how busy and accommodating they sound Ask their opinion as most a looking to maximize their activity Base your decision on how responsive and accommodating they sound

I say enjoy your time on the course and bring plenty of extra balls! ;) Go to the nice courses if you want to!