Golf courses aren’t just for golf. They also provide expansive green spaces and soothing views for neighboring homeowners. The best golf course communities typically offer other desirable amenities to residents, such as community clubhouses for social gatherings or hosted events and golf tournaments for residents to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a golf community in which to plant your roots, this guide explains what to expect including the many benefits of living on a golf course.

What Are Golf Course Communities?

Golf course communities are neighborhoods where homes are built adjacent or near a golf course. If you’ve ever been golfing and have been able to see into people’s backyards or balconies from the course, you may have golfed in a golf course community.

There are public and private golf communities. In a public golf community, anyone from the public can book a tee time and play on the course whereas in private golf course communities, golfers must apply for and be approved for membership into the golf club. They’ll typically have to pay an annual or monthly fee to retain their membership.

In addition to golf course admittance, private golf course membership may include access to other golf course features like restaurant reservations and rentals for social gathering areas. Private golf courses, as well as public golf courses, may also hold special events like holiday fireworks shows or nighttime golf outings.

Do You Have To Be a Golfer To Live in a Golf Course Community?

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy living in a golf course community. Typically, homes in golf course communities are sold to the general public. Homebuyers may be interested in living in the best golf course communities for reasons other than golf including:

• Atmosphere: Golf courses provide greenery and often other scenic features such as lakes, flora, and trees. Wildlife are also often attracted to golf courses. Depending on where it’s located, animals like rabbits, ducks, and even deer may frequently visit a course. For homebuyers who want a different environment from city life, golf course communities can provide an escape.
• Socializing: People are at the heart of golf course communities, whether they’re affordable golf retirement communities marketed to a 55+ crowd or they’re open to residents of all ages. Golf course communities often host regular social events such as community dinners, cocktail hours, or movie nights. There are usually plenty of opportunities to get to know your neighbors.
• Amenities: In a golf course community, there may be other attractive amenities ranging from gyms, pools, clubhouses and tennis courts to party rooms. When you live in a golf course community, you usually have easy access to many other amenities.

Of course, if you are a golfer, having a golf course in your backyard is one of the top benefits of living on a golf course. You could roll out of bed, walk down the street, and get some quick practice in at the driving range or play a full round (or more!) throughout the day.

Are There Risks to Living in Golf Course Communities?

If you’ve ever played or witnessed golf play in action, you’ve seen how fast and far golf balls can fly. While getting hit with a golf ball is extremely rare, those little white balls are still really powerful. In 2021, Kyle Berkshire broke the golf ball speed record at a whopping 233.4 miles per hour.

Golf balls can do bodily damage, and they can also cause property damage like broken windows or smashed planters. What’s the assumption of risk you can expect living in a golf course community?

According to Plantation, Florida Mayor Lynn Stoner, the answer may depend on the homeowners association. In some cases, the homeowner may have released liability from the golf course community for damage due to errant golf balls.

There may also be language in the property’s master deed that states who’s responsible for damage from golf balls. If the homeowner’s responsible, make sure you have solid homeowners insurance that can cover any damage to your home.

There are exceptions, depending on how the damage is caused. For example, if there’s a golfer near your home who throws their club at your window in frustration or is drunk and drives their cart into your fence, the golfer would most likely be liable to pay for the damage done due to negligence.

If there’s golf ball damage and no golfer to be found, you’d want to contact your homeowners association to determine if they provide coverage, then possibly your homeowners insurer to file a claim. 

How Does Golf Course Living Affect Property Value?

Various studies have found homes adjacent to golf courses tend to be more valuable compared to similarly-sized homes in the same geographic area. One study by Cal State Bakersfield found homes next to a golf course were worth an additional 11.7% on average. The study also found a house’s price declined 1.3% from there for every mile away from a golf course the house was located.

Another analysis of 21 studies that measured the impact of golf courses on property values reported by the National Recreation and Park Association, found homes on golf courses saw between a 15% to 30% premium compared to other homes. Homes with properties facing a passive park only saw a premium of 8% to 10%.

Home prices within a golf course community can also vary. For example, a hole with a particularly stunning view or a water feature may be priced higher compared to a golf course home with a less-stellar view.

Living on a golf course has another built-in advantage compared to other types of homes: You know there won’t be any other home built where the golf course is, which ensures serenity and privacy for years to come.

You also know that the golf course will be impeccably maintained, so you’ll always have that great green view without having to do the maintenance yourself. This can be another factor that increases the value of a golf course community home.

Interested in Golf Course Community Living?

Living on a golf course means panoramic views, access to valuable amenities, and close proximity to nature. Homes in the best golf course communities can be a great investment because they’re sought-after properties for golfers and non-golfing families.

Brookfield Residential has many new build homes and move-in ready homes on some of the most beautiful golf courses in North America. From affordable golf retirement communities to private golf communities for homeowners of all ages, explore where we build across North America.