With golf being one of the most popular sports in the world, residences built around golf courses thrive not only as a means of enjoying the sport but also as a way to build a stronger community.
Aside from fostering enjoyment for the sport, properties in golf communities have a higher likelihood of holding their resale value and are more sought after thanks to their lush surroundings, beautiful designs, various amenities, and health benefits.
To best appreciate these developments, here are five renowned golf communities found across the world.
RiverBend Golf Community (Canada)
(https://sifton.com)
Located in Ontario, RiverBend Golf Community features a stunning backdrop and beautifully designed homes. Originally conceptualized to be “submerged in nature and designed for the golf enthusiast,” it seeks to preserve its natural wildlife and lush green surroundings. It was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program in 2006.
RiverBend also offers security and protection with its gated community and 24-hour concierge service. It is home to a 28,000 sq. ft community clubhouse where guests can socialize, dine, and stay fit. As for its main attraction, the 18-hole championship golf course spans over 160 acres and includes six sets of tees.
Pearl Valley (South Africa)
(https://www.booking.com)
The Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis features discreet security, picturesque surroundings, and access to the world-class Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. Situated in Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, the hotel provides guests with charming scenery and features over 40 suites and mountain biking trails.
The Pearl Valley Clubhouse overlooks the 18-hole championship golf course, surrounded by the Simonsberg mountain range. It hosted the South African Open for three consecutive years from 2007 and was ranked among the top 10 courses in South Africa by Golf Digest magazine every year since 2006 up to and including 2019.
Desert Mountain (United States)
(https://www.desertmountainhomesonline.com)
Dubbed as “a sanctuary in the Sonoran Desert,” Desert Mountain features the world’s largest collection of Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses. Today, Desert Mountain is a thriving private club and community of seven championship golf courses. It has also been distinguished by the Platinum Clubs of America and is the highest ranking club in Arizona in the Country Club category.
Desert Mountain is surrounded by more than 2,000 homes. Its 8,300-acre community houses a wide array of custom home sites and estates all set across a collection of secluded villages. The luxury homes offer stunning views of the vast desert, private pools, and sleek, modern-style architecture.
Jumeirah Golf Estates (UAE)
(https://www.jumeirahgolfestates.com)
A world-class golf community in the heart of Dubai, Jumeirah Golf Estates provides luxury homes and two internationally-acclaimed golf courses, Earth and Fire. The development spans 1,119 hectares and comprises 16 unique communities and over 1,835 homes. The properties featured in each district are uniquely designed with bright exteriors and cozy interiors.
Rivaling some of the best golfing destinations in the world, Jumeirah Golf Estates has earned several accolades and even hosted the annual DP World Tour Championship until 2020.
It was named the Top Real Estate Company in the Arab World by Forbes Middle East in 2016 and 2018. It is also home to the Middle East’s only European Tour Performance Institute.
Finca Cortesin (Spain)
(https://www.golfpass.com)
The Finca Cortesin in Spain is centered around six main areas, one of which is its championship golf course. The 215-ha estate prides itself on its beautiful surroundings, thanks in part to its location along the Andalusian coast.
The resort provides “one of Europe’s most unforgettable golf experiences” and has been rated one of the best golf courses in Spain. Its continued preservation of its golf course earned it the GEO Certified label in July 2023 and the ACOSOL seal of quality for efficient golf course irrigation in April 2022. It was also the venue for high-profile golf events like the Solheim Cup 2023 and the Volvo World Match Play Championship, which it has hosted thrice.
Sources: jumeirahgolfestates.com, desertmountain.com, top100golfcourses.com, franschhoek.org.za, pearlvalleyhotel.com, pearlvalley.co.za, fincacortesin.com, sifton.com, riverbendgolf.com, westharborhomes.com