What Are The PROs and CONs Of Buying A Home On A Golf Course?

Should I Buy A House That’s Located On A Golf Course?

What Are The PROs and CONs Of Buying A Home On A Golf Course

There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of questions about buying a home.  Some of the questions are asked frequently while others aren’t as common.  One question that some buyers will ask and want answered is whether they should buy a home located on a golf course.

The Greater Rochester NY area is known as one of the best golf cities in the United States.  As a Rochester NY real estate agent, anytime a buyer is considering the purchase of a home that’s located on a golf course, I recommend they evaluate and weigh all the PROs and CONs.

In this article you’re going to find out what the PROs and CONs are to buying a home that’s located on a golf course.  After reading this article a buyer will be able to make an educated decision as to whether living on a golf course is the right fit for them or not.  

What Are The PROs Of Buying A Home On A Golf Course?

If you’re thinking about buying a home that’s located on a golf course, there are some very nice perks.  Below are some of the top benefits of buying a house that’s situated on a golf course.

Owning A Home On A Golf Course Is Viewed As Prestigious By Many

There are some home buyers who’re actually concerned about how they’ll be looked at after buying their home, believe it or not.  For example, some buyers believe that buying a waterfront home is going to convince others that they have lots of money since there is a belief that owning waterfront property is for the rich and famous only.

If a buyer is concerned about how others will view them based on the purchase of their home, buying a home on a golf course is a perfect fit.  One of the benefits of owning a home on a golf course is that many people believe that owning a home located on a golf course is prestigious.

One of the top 100 private country clubs in the country is Oak Hill Country Club which is located in Pittsford NY, a bedroom community of Rochester.  If you were to mention to a local Rochester resident that you own a home located on Oak Hill Country Club, there’s a high probability that they’ll believe you have lots of money and view you as “prestigious.”

Most Rochester NY golf course homes for sale carry the stereotype of being owned by someone who is prestigious and wealthy.  If a buyer doesn’t care about how they’re viewed by others, this potential benefit of owning a home on a golf course will not be important.

Reduces Chances Of Having Bad Neighbors

Buying A Home On A Golf Course Reduces Chances Of Having Bad Neighbors!

One of the top concerns that many buyers have is how their surrounding neighbors will be.  In fact, bad neighbors are one of the top ways to scare away potential home buyers when selling a home.

Since homes located on a golf course may not have neighbors surrounding them on all sides, this reduces the chances of having a bad neighbor.  This is an obvious benefit of buying a home on a golf course.

While the chances of a bad neighbor are reduced, it’s still highly recommended that buyers considering the purchase of a golf course home still do their research on the neighborhood.  Buyers who understand how to choose a neighborhood greatly reduce the chances of making a poor decision and can help avoid home buyers remorse.

Fantastic Location For Avid Golfers

The most obvious PRO to buying a home on a golf course is that it’s a fantastic location for avid golfers.  If a buyer loves the game of golf, living on a golf course is ideal!

Obviously the proximity to a golf course is ideal for an avid golfer but there are also possibilities of discounted club rates for the homeowners who live on the course.  If a buyer plans on obtaining a membership at a local golf club, getting a discount on the annual membership dues could be enough of a benefit to justify the purchase of a home which is located on the course.

Well Manicured & Beautiful Surroundings

The majority of home buyers will view a property that is located next to a neighbor or a vacant home that has poorly maintained grounds at one time or another.  You know, that home that has knee-high grass, overgrown shrubs, and weed filled flower beds.

Another benefit of buying a home on a golf course is that the majority of the surroundings will be well manicured and maintained.  Since most golf courses pride themselves on the condition of their grounds, the chances of having well manicured surroundings is higher.

In addition to the increased probability of well manicured surroundings, many golf courses are simply beautiful.  Whether it’s a golf course with a pond and fountain or mature, tree-lined fairways, the surroundings of a golf course homes can be breathtaking.

What Are The CONs Of Buying A Home On A Golf Course?

Buying a home on a golf course is not for everyone.  As you can see, there are certainly some advantages of living on a golf course, however, there are certainly a fair share of drawbacks.  Below are some of the most common CONs of buying a home on a golf course.

Irate Golfers

Golf is a “gentleman’s game,” right?  Not so fast!  There are many golfers who have a mouth of a sailor and can be downright irate when playing the game.  This is one drawback of buying a home on a golf course.

Exhibit 1, watch this video below of the top 25 angry golfers.  Caution, this video does contain some NSFW (not safe for work) material.

As you can see from the video, some golfers are absolutely nuts.  Throwing clubs, screaming profanity, and straight up having temper tantrums that you’d see from a toddler.

Before buying a home on a golf course, buyers need to realize that this they may potentially see this type of behavior.  If a buyer is planning on having summer picnics with their family in their backyard, they should expect to see similar types of behavior at one point or another when buying a home on a golf course.

Wayward Golf Shots

One of the biggest fears of homeowners who live on a golf course are those wayward golf shots from the golfers.  Imagine, you’re sitting in your kitchen enjoying your morning cup of coffee and next thing you know, you hear a loud crash through your beautiful picture window from a wayward golf shot.  Doesn’t sound like much fun does it?

Another drawback of buying a home on a golf course are the wayward golf shots.  Depending on the location of a home that’s located on a golf course will determine the likelihood of a wayward golf shot hitting a home.

Wayward Golf Shots Are A Negative Of Buying A Home On A Golf Course!

If a home is located behind a tee-box, the chances of wayward golf shots hitting the home are greatly reduced.  If a home is located along a fairway on a long par-5, the chance of wayward golf shots hitting them are much higher.

If a buyer is considering the purchase of a home on a golf course, it’s extremely important to take into consideration the location of the home in relation to the course layout.  Not taking the location of the home in relation to the course layout could be a big mistake made by a home buyer.

Lack Of Privacy

If privacy is a feature that a buyer is looking for, buying a home on a golf course may not be ideal.  One of the biggest negatives to buying a home on a golf course is there is not a lot of privacy in many cases.

During peak golfing season you can expect a consistent flow of traffic from the golfers throughout the day.  Depending on the age of the course and the amount of money a buyer wants to spend on privacy landscaping will determine the amount of privacy (or lack thereof).

Ground Maintenance Equipment & Motorized Golf Carts 

One of the benefits of buying a home on a golf course are the well manicured surroundings.  Well manicured surroundings also means that ground maintenance equipment will be required for upkeep.

A drawback of buying a home on a golf course is the noise from the ground maintenance equipment.  Depending on the golf course, a buyer can potentially hear the lawn mowers and weed whackers starting up while it’s still dark outside at 5:00 AM or later in the evening around 8 or 9.

In addition to the ground maintenance equipment, another drawback of buying a home on a golf course are the motorized golf carts.  If the motorized golf carts are gas powered, a buyer will also have to deal with the noise from them.

If the golf carts are not gas powered,  there may not be noise to deal with but the potential of people driving a golf cart into a homes backyard exists.  Even though most golf courses post signs that state not to drive or walk into the backyard of a home, some golfers will not follow the rules.

Resale Can Be Difficult

Most buyers don’t think ahead to the time when they’re going to sell the home they haven’t even purchased.  When buying a home on a golf course, it’s important to understand that resale can potentially be difficult which is a negative of buying a home situated on a golf course.

As a real estate professional is determining the market value of a home, one of the factors they take into consideration is location.  Homes that are situated on a golf course are not for everyone, so this reduces the potential number of buyers.

Many Golf Course Homes Are Part Of A Homeowners Association (HOA)

Golf Course Homes Are Often Run By A Homeowners Association

Buying a home that’s a part of a homeowners association, also known as an HOA, is not for everyone either.  There are PROs and CONs of homeowner associations that educated buyers will weigh to decide if it’s the right fit for them.

Another CON of buying a home on a golf course is that many golf course homes are a part of a homeowners association.  This means that a buyer will be subject to specific rules and also potentially additional monthly, quarterly, or annual fees.

Many golf course communities will have HOA fees that help cover the costs of common landscaping or signage.  Before buying a home on a golf course, it’s critical to understand if the property is part of an HOA and also to know the inside and outs of the rules and regulations.

Final Thoughts

Buying a home that’s situated on a golf course is much different than buying a home in a suburban neighborhood.  There are many additional considerations that need to be reviewed beforehand.

The above PROs and CONs of buying a home on a golf course are some of the most important things a buyer needs to consider.  Living on a golf course is usually either a great fit for a buyer or a bad one and there isn’t much of a grey area.

Other Helpful Home Buying Resources

• How To Interview Real Estate Agents When Buying A Home
• Advice For Purchasing Your First Home via Lynn Pineda
• Step By Step Guide To Buying A Home
• First Time Home Buyers Insurance Guide via Bill Gassett

Are you considering the purchase of a home on a golf course in Rochester?  If so, there are dozens of golf course homes for sale in Rochester.  It’s important that you understand the PROs and CONs of buying a home on a golf course but also are familiar with the golf course community itself.  If you’re looking to buy a home in Rochester on a golf course, contact me and I’d be happy to discuss your circumstance.  As a golfer myself, I have a vast knowledge on the local golf course communities of Rochester NY and can give you some advice to help with your decision.

About the authors: The above article “What Are The PROs and CONs Of Buying A Home On A Golf Course?” was written by Kyle Hiscock of the Hiscock Sold Team at RE/MAX Realty Group.  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.