Living on a Golf Course: 6 Pros & Cons of Buying a Golf Home

Imagine waking up every morning to scenery that makes you feel as though you are on vacation. The tranquility of a golf course coupled with a home surrounded by lush greenery is something many dream of. But before making a decision, it's crucial to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks. From the luxury appeal that boosts property value to the convenience of having a course right at your doorstep, living on a golf course can be incredibly enticing. As you prepare to take the leap, though, you should also consider the potential noise disturbances, higher community fees, and the risk of property damage from stray golf balls, to decide if this lifestyle suits you.

6 Pros & Cons of Living on a Golf Course

• Beautifully landscaped surroundings and protected views
• Easy access to playing golf
• Community associations protecting property values
• Noise disturbances from golfers, maintenance equipment, and events
• Higher community fees and ongoing expenses for upkeep and amenities
• Stray golf balls can cause property damage and invite players into your yard to retrieve them

Advantages of Golf Course Living

Imagine waking up with a breathtaking view of the lush green course from your backyard. Knowing your property value is protected is an added bonus. As a resident of a golf course community, you can enjoy the convenience of playing golf every day, without having to go far.

These advantages of golf course living turn your dream into a reality, making each day truly special.

Gorgeous Views

Surrounded by lush greenery and serene landscapes, homes in golf course communities offer residents stunning views that create a tranquil and picturesque living environment. When living on a golf course, you'll have the privilege of enjoying these breathtaking views every day, making your home feel like a resort.

Stepping into your backyard, you'll find yourself amidst nature, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the course in the background. The carefully maintained landscapes ensure a consistent visual appeal, and usually, there’s little to no maintenance required on your part. These gorgeous views can even enhance your lifestyle by encouraging outdoor activities and fostering a sense of relaxation, community, and well-being.

Protected Property Values

Living in a golf course community means you can enjoy the added security of stable property values and community amenities that enhance your lifestyle. One of the primary advantages of golf course living is the assurance of well-maintained neighbourhoods. Golf courses, with their lush greenery, water features, and meticulously cared-for grounds, enhance the visual appeal of homes in the community. 

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) ensure that the landscape and architectural designs align with the community's standards, maintaining curb appeal and protecting property values. This setting creates an ambiance that attracts buyers seeking luxury and exclusivity, which in turn increases the resale value of homes.

Furthermore, the presence of recreational facilities in these neighbourhoods adds to the appeal of the area. Some golf courses have clubhouses and facilities such as tennis courts, restaurants, and swimming pools.

You Can Play Every Day

Beyond the financial advantages, living on a golf course unlocks unparalleled access to the game and its versatile lifestyle. On weekends, grab your morning coffee, and step right onto the fairway. The convenience is hard to match: no traffic, no long drives, and no packed parking lots. Your golf cart becomes your commute.

Homeowners in these communities may have priority access to tee times, ensuring your game stays on schedule. Many golf communities also offer membership perks and discounts for residents.

Enjoying golf this way is extremely convenient. Practice whenever you want, and as often as you like, even every day. Golf courses often have facilities for improving specific skills, like putting and driving.

The social aspects are just as rewarding. Join local golf leagues or organize games with your neighbors. Even if you’re not interested in playing golf yourself, golf communities often strive to create community events and gatherings that appeal to a wide array of interests.

Cons of Living on a Golf Course

Even living on the best golf courses can have drawbacks. You might have to deal with higher community fees and noise from golfers and maintenance equipment, which can disrupt your daily routine. Additionally, there's always a risk of property damage from wayward golf balls, which can further impact your quality of life.

Noise & Lack of Privacy

Living on a golf course often means contending with noise from golfers, landscaping equipment, and events, which can compromise your peace and quiet at home. Early morning mowing and grounds maintenance can be especially bothersome if you're not a morning person.

Tournaments and large gatherings on the course can bring increased foot and car traffic, leading to more noise and disruptions. Regardless of the time of day, the sound of golfers shouting 'Fore!' can be a frequent disturbance.

Apart from the noise, privacy is another significant concern. Depending on your proximity to the fairway, your yard may be invaded by errant balls and golfers chasing them. This invasion can interfere with your daily activities and your sense of personal space.

If you value a quiet and private living environment, golf course living might not be the ideal choice for you. Always weigh the advantages of living near a golf course against these drawbacks and carefully consider your priorities before making a decision.

Higher Community Fees

Another drawback of living in a golf course community is that homeowners usually face higher community fees to cover the costs of maintaining the golf course and additional amenities. These fees can significantly add up and might strain your budget. Living on a golf course requires not only an initial investment in a more expensive home but also a commitment to ongoing expenses for upkeep and amenities. It's essential to weigh the benefits of the lifestyle against the costs involved.

Another factor to consider is that these fees can increase over time, which might affect your long-term financial planning. Make sure to factor in these expenses when calculating your cost of living in a golf course community. Higher community fees can be a substantial burden if you don't carefully assess your financial situation before buying a golf course home.

Property Damage

One great concern for homeowners is the potential damage to property caused by stray golf balls. Your property near the golf course may face a range of damage from stray golf balls, including cracked windows, dented roofs, and broken windshields.

Concerned homeowners have to navigate insurance policies that may not cover such damages adequately, leaving them with financial burdens. Depending on the location and frequency of golf ball impacts, this issue can significantly impact the quality of life in what would otherwise be a peaceful and desirable community setting.

If stray balls are a concern for you, choosing the right spot to live on the golf course can help alleviate the number of balls you have to contend with. In terms of stray golf balls, the worst place to live on a golf course is on the right side of the course, about 150 to 200 yards from the tees—between slices, which tend to go toward the right for most players, and the average distance of shots, golf balls will land in this area more frequently. Each course is built differently, so take a look at a course map and try to predict common shots when picking a house to buy on a golf course.

Are Golfers Responsible for Broken Windows?

The rules for this vary by location. In the United States, golfers are generally not liable unless a ball was intentionally aimed at a house, car, etc. Golfers are generally liable, but it may be difficult for a homeowner to enforce liability.

Living on a golf course carries an “assumption of risk,” i.e. buying a house on a golf course implies acceptance that stray golf balls may impact your house. Take the time to proactively research liability in your area and protect your home with improvements like impact-resistant windows. Be sure to check whether your homeowners insurance covers stray golf balls, and evaluate your deductible.

Consider Golf Course Living

While living on a golf course offers stunning views, luxurious living, and increased property values, it also means dealing with noise from golfing activities and maintenance. Privacy concerns, higher community fees, and stray golf balls that can cause damage are also factors to consider.

Weighing these pros and cons will help you decide if golf course living is right for you.