Buying Property on Golf Courses

Minnesota is known as one of the top states for golf in the US, with tons of fantastic courses both on the water, in the cities, and up north. Having the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities as well as multiple Ryder Cups and other professional tournaments held at many of the prestigious Minnesota golf courses, golf’s popularity here is no surprise. This also means there are plenty of opportunities to own a home on one of these courses, so here are a few things you need to know or look into before buying a home on a golf course.

Talk to the Club

The most important thing to do if you’re looking at buying a home on a golf course is check in with the club to see how they view your property. Some clubs won’t allow players onto your property, which can prevent golfers from searching through your yard, be in your garden, or even digging in your pool. Some clubs have property staked off as OB, but players will still be able to retrieve their balls from your yard. Finally, some clubs consider your yard as in-play in some areas, so you’ll have to deal with players in and hitting out of your grass on a regular basis. Each club is different as well as every property is different, so always make sure you ask so you know what to expect.

Talk to the Agent or Previous Owners about How Often They See Golf Balls

Some holes are trickier than others and sometimes there are properties that may never see a golf ball while still benefitting from the great view of play. During the buying process, reach out to the agent or see if the previous owners can give you an idea of how often they see players or golf balls in their yard. You might find that they don’t see regular traffic and there won’t be much extra work to do, or, you might find that some extra fencing, signage, or just a watchful eye might need to be kept during the golf season.

Talk to Insurance

Definitely make sure you take time to talk to your insurance agent about extra coverage for your home and property. You’ll get a better sense of how many balls or players will come into your yard with the previous tips, but how to paying for any damages can get expensive. Whether it's balls flying through your windows, grass getting chewed up, or any property in your backyard getting hit, your insurance will guide you on what you can cover and what you can’t.

If you have any questions about buying a home on a golf course or just want more info, give me a call! I’d love to help!