Fore + 1 of the Best Cities for Golf Lovers to Call Home

Whether you’re an amateur or a low handicapper, all golfers know that incredible feeling when you drive your ball straight into the fairway. But, there are also those moments where you want to grab your pitching wedge and pulverize the green because you notched your fifth consecutive triple bogey. Regardless, you can’t imagine life without golf, so why not find an apartment in a city that lives and breathes this sport?

August is National Golf Month, so here are some of the best cities you can call your golf haven no matter if you’re looking for corporate housing, in need of student housing, searching for your first, second or third place out of college or retiring to an active adult 55 and over community.

Greater Phoenix

When you think of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and other cities in the Valley of the Sun, cactus-laden desert landscapes and mountainous vistas should come to mind. And amidst this striking scenery is nearly 200 courses and country clubs to whet your golfing appetite. Winter and spring are peak seasons for hitting the links because of the cooler climate, but summer and fall are the times when you can find the best deals on rates. 

While summer temperatures can reach triple digits, the Greater Phoenix area garners an annual average of 20 precipitation days, so a rainout is almost as rare as a hole-in-one.

Book your tee times here:

• Troon North Golf Club: Nestled along the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this Scottsdale favorite offers two 18-hole courses consistently ranked as the best in Arizona.
• We-Ko-Pa Golf Club: Free of homes and roads, We-Ko-Pa provides a tranquil experience that tests your skills and allows you to reconnect with nature.
• Grayhawk Golf Club: The deep bunkers and elevated, contoured greens make this public golf course a delightful challenge for even the most seasoned players.

Portland

You might know Portland is a notable bike-friendly metropolis, but how does Rose City treat golfers? Based on the fact it boasts 4.48 golf courses per 100,000 residents, the answer should be fairly well. Along with the unbeatable access to a wide range of links, Portland provides temperate weather year-round, so it’s a little harder to conjure up an excuse to drive a cart instead of walking your nine or 18 holes. Be sure to pack a poncho since the city averages about 100 rainy days per year. Once the rain clears, though, you’ll be greeted by verdant, postcard-worthy fairways and greens.

Book tour tee times here:

• Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club: Ghost Creek, the club’s public course that hosted the LPGA Tour’s Safeway Classic from 2009 to 2012, challenges your accuracy with its fast-rolling greens and abundant hazards and bunkers.
• Eastmoreland Golf Course: Bordered by the Rhododendron Gardens and Crystal Lake Springs, this historic public course is perfect for soaking up stunning flora in between drives.
• Heron Lakes Golf Club: Featuring two championship courses designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Heron Lakes serves the perfect medley of difficulty, quality and value.

Orlando

Considering Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, the late Arnold Palmer and a plethora of other legends have all called Orlando home, it’s safe to call the city is an oasis for golfing. PGA Tour pros and amateur players alike migrate to Orlando for myriad reasons. For one, the mild, subtropical climate is as close to perfect weather as you’ll get during the winter. Also, Florida does not impose state income taxes, giving you some extra coin to splurge on that driver you’ve been eyeing for months. 

Have kids? Orlando is dubbed the Theme Park Capital of the World for a reason, you know. But the stunning courses, whether it’s a premier public course or luxurious resort, are the driving force behind any golfer’s move to O-Town.

Book your tee times here:

• Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge: Tee it up at The King’s stomping grounds set along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes and featuring 27 holes of tour championship golf.
• Grand Cypress: This Jack Nicklaus-designed golf club is most noted as the home of the New Course, a replica of the world-renowned Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.
• Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club: Low handicappers will be put to the test when facing this course’s rolling hills, high-lipped bunkers and 100 feet of elevation changes.

San Diego

Boasting over 90 premier courses nestled near the sea, desert mountains or inland valleys, San Diego is without a doubt a golfer’s paradise. While San Diego is known for its perfect year-round climate and shimmering coastline, Luke Fabry, local native and writer for Golf and Course, believes the city’s wide array of activities sometimes gets overlooked. "You can play a few rounds at The Bridges or The Farms Golf Club and still have time to go watch the sunset and grab dinner in Little Italy. If you are willing to drive a little, you can find yourself in Joshua Tree or on the slopes of Big Bear Mountain.”

San Diego’s cost of living might be on the higher end, but the wide array of courses, terrific restaurants, premier attractions and diverse culture make it worth every penny.

Book your tee times here:

• Torrey Pines Golf Course: Overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop towering cliffs, this mesmerizing municipal course, which was the host of the unforgettable 2008 U.S. Open, needs to be added to your bucket list.
• Balboa Park Golf Course: The oldest golf facility in San Diego, Balboa Park Golf Course provides challenging holes alongside beautiful views of downtown. Plus, you can’t beat the $40 weekend green fees.
• Barona Creek Golf Club: Drive north to Lakeside and challenge your game at this course frequently lauded as one of the best in California. After your round, test your luck at the on-site casino.

Atlanta

When the words “golf” and “Georgia” are uttered in the same sentence, rest assured you’ll hear Augusta, the home of The Masters, but Atlanta should be thrown in the conversation, as well. As far as golf courses go, there are about 120 links you can choose from, including 60 quality public courses. Make sure to snap some pictures because many of them are situated along the beautiful rolling countryside encompassing the city. Even though summers do live up to the Hotlanta moniker, the mild winters and gorgeous spring and autumn seasons make up for the humid dog days.

After your golf outing, you can explore downtown’s lively restaurant scene, take the kids to World of Coca-Cola or expand your knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Book your tee times here:

• The Frog: Bentgrass greens, expansive bunkers and well-maintained fairways make this Tom Fazio-designed public course in Villa Rica a local favorite.
• Bear’s Best Atlanta: Nestled 37 miles outside of Downtown Atlanta, this public course brings 18 of Jack Nicklaus’ greatest course designs into one location.
• Echelon Golf Club: Drive out to Alpharetta and delight in a challenging golf experience featuring 600 acres of rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes and panoramic views.

Ready to move to one of these cities? Learn how to pack efficiently for your big move.

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