| Since 1456, when the first game was recorded | | | | golf communities offer residents generous and |
| in Edinburgh, golf has been creating some of | | | | peaceful landscapes, a chance to get out and |
| world's most loyal fans and devotees. But | | | | get active and social opportunities not |
| we've come a long way from that crude | | | | present in many modern communities. Let's |
| beginning where players spent their time | | | | face it, getting out on the green is good for |
| hitting a rock around on the craggy moors | | | | you. Whether you're doing the whole 18 or |
| with a well-shaped stick. The Journal of | | | | you're just out for a quick 9 holes before |
| Sports Sciences reports that there are now | | | | running an errand, walking the course is an |
| 30,000 golf courses and 55 million people who | | | | excellent way to relieve stress, stay in |
| play golf worldwide. Over the centuries, | | | | shape and keep your mind sharp. |
| players traded in the well-shaped sticks for | | | | |
| drivers, irons, wedges, hybrids, and putters. | | | | Fortunately for most, a huge portion of |
| We now have professionally designed courses, | | | | American golf real estate is found in |
| state-of-the-art gear, international | | | | locations where the weather's good all year |
| tournaments and celebrities. For those who | | | | round giving golfers time on the links even |
| really love the game however, perhaps the | | | | in December. This is great news for most |
| greatest modern golf invention is the golf | | | | players who know that once you've caught the |
| community: a place to call home where the | | | | bug, love of the game persists in spite of |
| whole neighborhood celebrates the game as | | | | calendars. Regardless of skill level, devoted |
| seriously as players do. | | | | golfers can make it out whenever the time is |
| | | | right for them, "hitting the greens" as much |
| These communities offer the best | | | | as possible without weather interference or |
| professionally-designed courses all within a | | | | long distances to travel. |
| three iron/driver's distance from your front | | | | |
| lawn. Often attracting celebrities and | | | | With the enduring popularity of the sport, |
| professional golf players, the challenging | | | | it's not surprising that golf real estate is |
| courses will test even the most experienced | | | | also popular. With no shortage of people to |
| golfers. Still, there's enough variety in the | | | | play with and all the amenities of a |
| courses to keep both avid and amateur golfers | | | | luxurious country club, homes in golf |
| entertained. Residents don't need to be | | | | communities will remain a good investment for |
| semi-pro, nor do they have to dumb it down. A | | | | years to come. Gated security, spas, pools, |
| range of challenges will keep it interesting | | | | pro-shops, and communal areas add to both the |
| for everyone - so feel free to invite your | | | | community spirit and luxury of the lifestyle. |
| favorite non-golfing friends and relatives | | | | But make no mistake, bells and whistles |
| over. They might catch the bug too and end up | | | | aside, these communities will always hinge on |
| as your neighbors! | | | | the one thing residents never tire of - the |
| | | | love of the game. |
| With expansive greens and manicured fairways, | | | | |