10 Most Popular Golf Communities of 2023
by Robert Borges on May 16, 2023
Golf communities around the country have once again seen an uptick in popularity in recent years. With an attractive and relaxed lifestyle that provides residents with easy access to well-maintained golf courses and related amenities like practice facilities, clubhouses, and pro shops, golf enthusiasts can enjoy playing the sport they love without having to travel far from home.
As an extension of our “Most Popular Communities of 2023,” we’re taking a deeper dive into 10 of those communities that feature exceptional golf courses and facilities. In addition to providing residents with a plethora of health benefits, golf communities offer beautiful homes with increased real estate value, lush landscapes, opportunities for socialization, privacy and security, and an array of additional resort-style amenities.
Keep reading for an overview of 10 of PCR’s most popular golf communities of 2023. Selected from several states spanning the country, you can click the links or images below for more details and to request additional information.
PGA Village Verano- Port St. Lucie, FL
Adjacent to the world-renowned PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, PGA Village Verano is the only new home community in Florida associated with the PGA. The all-inclusive golf community located in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast showcases three championship Audubon International Signature courses designed by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker and Dye courses have been named to several national “Best Of” lists. Golfweek ranked the entertaining layouts Nos. 16 and 27, respectively, on its annual “Best: State-by-State Courses You Can Play” list, while GOLF Magazine recognized them in their edition of the “Best Courses Near You.” In addition, Audubon International recognized PGA Golf Club’s 20th year of certification as an “Audubon International Signature Facility” making it one of only three properties in the world to reach this milestone. A true golf lovers paradise, the community also features the largest private pickleball center in South Florida, and an array of other resort-style amenities that foster a healthy and active lifestyle.
This East Tennessee golf community is home to three of the state’s finest championship courses—The Toqua Championship Golf Course, The Tanasi Championship Golf Course, and the Links at Kahite. Each course has its own practice ranges, pro shops, and clubhouses. Near Knoxville, the award-winning community spans 5,000 acres along the banks of Tellico Lake. Ideal for a second home or full-time retirement living, the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains, the clear waters of Tellico Lake, and the rolling fairways of three golf courses provide a stunning backdrop for the available homes, townhomes, and homesites within Tellico Village.
K. Hovnanian's® Four Seasons at Victory at Verrado- Buckeye, AZ
This top golf community in Arizona boasts two championship Tom Lehman-designed golf courses: The Victory Course and the Founders Course at Verrado Golf Club. Both feature a dramatic backdrop of the White Tank Mountains and challenge players of all skill levels. The community itself sits 1,900 feet above the desert floor and offers panoramic views of the valley. In addition to golf, resort-style amenities within this 55+ community include a full-service spa, swim and fitness center, and the Vic Bar + Kitchen. Residents stay active outdoors with 78 community parks, tennis and pickleball courts, and more than 21 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Named “One of America’s Healthiest Clubs,” this private community near Savannah on Georgia's coast offers an extraordinary country club lifestyle and not one, not two, not three…but six signature golf courses—all included in one membership. The premier Georgia golf courses are designed by legends including Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Willard Byrd, and the home of the Savannah Golf Championship. Members also have access to dozens of tennis, pickleball, paddle ball, and bocce courts, as well as a 50,000-square-foot fitness center. The community also offers four clubhouses with seven dining options, over 30 miles of biking and walking trails, two deep water marinas, and more than 100 social clubs.
Boot Ranch- Fredericksburg, TX
Anchored by an award-winning Hal Sutton-designed 18-hole golf course, 34-acre practice park, and lighted 18-hole putting course, this popular golf community in the heart of Texas Hill Country offers residents a true club camaraderie, abundance of recreation choices, and an easy, laid-back atmosphere. In addition to the golf course (ranked #2 in Texas by Golfweek), the 2,080-acre community features the 55,000-square-foot Clubhouse Village with dining and social clubs; The Ranch Club with pools, fitness facilities, and sports courts; The Racquet Club with tennis and pickleball; and The Lake Club with a swim beach, fishing, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, water trampoline, and more. Additionally, hiking and biking trails wind throughout Boot Ranch, offering spectacular views of rugged hills, rolling grassland, lakes, and wildlife.
St. James Plantation- Southport, NC
Owned by Troon Golf, St. James Plantation is a North Carolina community with four signature courses, designed by some of the top names in the game. The Reserve Club, designed by world-renowned Nicklaus Design, was named Best New Course in North Carolina. Three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin puts his stamp on the Members Club which boasts 27 challenging holes. World-renowned course architect P.B. Dye is the designer for the Founders Club, and North Carolina designer Tim Cate laid out the challenging Players Club. Each course has received the prestigious designation of an "Audubon Certified Cooperative Sanctuary" by Audubon International. Situated on the Intracoastal Waterway near the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River, the community complements the natural beauty of the land and offers a multitude of resort-style amenities including a private beach club, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, and a full-service marina and marketplace.
Albemarle Plantation- Hertford, NC
Another of the year’s most popular golf communities in North Carolina, this one features an exceptionally scenic 18-hole championship course on the shores of Albemarle Sound. Pinehurst-based golf course architect Dan Maples designed The Sound Golf Links at Albemarle Plantation, a coastal design featuring plush fairways and immaculate greens that run along age-old marshes and through cypress groves draped in Spanish moss. It includes a full-service pro shop and practice facility with driving range, putting green, chipping green, and practice bunkers. Additional amenities for members and residents include tennis and fitness facilities and a 25-meter swimming pool, while the on-site marina provides direct access to world-class sailing, boating, and fishing on the protected waters of Albemarle Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Black Creek Chattanooga- Chattanooga, TN
Among Tennessee’s best golf communities, Black Creek Chattanooga is highlighted by an an18-hole championship golf course designed by Brian Silva that ranks among Golfweek’s “Top 100 Modern Courses” and features panoramic mountain views and five sets of tees for players of all skill levels. Along with an award-winning golf experience, the community offers an active lifestyle complete with resort-style amenities like the clubhouse featuring fine and casual dining, a tiered infinity pool, and year-round events. Residents also have exclusive access to miles of nature trails, a fitness center, a dog park, tennis courts, and more.
Trilogy® at Verde River™- Rio Verde, AZ
Back in Arizona just east of North Scottsdale, this resort golf community is bordered by Tonto National Forest and the Verde River. Designed by Ken Kavanaugh, with enhancements by Lehman Design Group led by professional golfer and 1996 British Open Champion, Tom Lehman, the 18-hole championship golf course follows the natural terrain of the Sonoran Desert. The community clubhouse includes a signature restaurant, full bar, Alvea Spa, Market Place, resort pool with bar, lap and fitness pool, well-equipped fitness center, culinary studio, sports and outfitter shop, event center, and outdoor sports complex with tennis, bocce and pickleball.
Finally, this South Carolina golf community has four championship golf courses with designs by Nicklaus Design, Rees Jones, and Bob Cupp, a driving range, practice greens, teaching facility, and pro shop. The Nicklaus Design Reserve Course was recognized by Golf Digest as one of the “Top Ten Best New Private Courses” and is consistently ranked as one of South Carolina’s best courses. Woodside is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, where social events and club amenities are never in short supply. On top of the world-class golf, other amenities include a fitness center, USTA-certified tennis and pickleball facility, miles of walking trails, and lakes spread out over 2,800 acres of rolling countryside.
