Picture the scene. You set out in the light of morning surrounded by a cloudless blue sky, hoping to get a quick round of golf in on the local course before work. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and you think to yourself 'it's going to be a good day'. However, within an hour of teeing off the clouds have gathered, the heavens have opened and you're drenched by the time you reach the ninth hole.

Sound familiar? If not, then welcome to the world of golf in the UK. Britain's highly changeable weather can make golfing more chore than the delight it should be. So here's the alternative: combine your love of golf with your dream of purchasing a property overseas. And with a multitude of countries, both in Europe and further afield, promising to offer you both sunny days and great golf, you're certainly spoilt for choice...

Top of the leaderboard
If the Spanish costas are best known for sun, sea and sand, then golf cannot be far behind. There are over 50 golf courses on the Costa del Sol alone, many of which feature properties within chipping distance of the first tee. Traditionally, it has been in this area of Spain, also known as the 'Costa del Golf', that golf-mad property seekers have looked to buy. Many of the Costa's courses are renowned for their quality – think Valderrama, which upon hosting the Ryder Cup in 1997 was described as the 'finest winter golf destination in all of Europe' – while most will also suit all standards of player no matter what their handicap. However, the Costa del Sol's established reputation as a golfing mecca, along with the long-standing popularity of owning a property there, has driven up prices for homes in and around the area's golf resorts. You should expect the price of a two-bedroom villa close to one of the more popular courses to cost you at least 200,000 euros. Not that del Sol is the sole jewel in the Spanish Costa's golfing crown. In recent years, Blanca has emerged as a strong contender to del Sol's position of Spain's premier golfing destination, largely thanks to a 13-mile long strip of land that cuts the Mar Menor lagoon off from the Mediterranean, otherwise known as La Manga. The resort, which encompasses three world-class golf courses, has been largely responsible for Blanca's growing popularity amongst Tiger Woods wannabes looking for a property on the Costa.

As with golf properties on the Costa del Sol, however, those in Blanca have also experienced significant price increases over the last three years – by as much as 25 per cent a year in some areas. It's no real surprise that properties situated in La Manga have borne the brunt of the rises, with prices for  one bedroom properties now starting from around 150,000 euros.

To the south of the Costa Blanca, the Costa Calida could soon join its northern neighbour as a major player in Spain's golf property market. Polaris World is currently developing five resorts on the costa over a total land area of 10 million square metres. Each resort will have a golf course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus included within it, and with prices for property in some of the resorts starting from 170,000 euros, the Calida could soon rival Blanca and del Sol in the golfing popularity stakes. Away from Spain, Florida too can be described as something of a golfers' paradise. "Golf is extremely popular in Florida, both with the US and overseas markets, and there are many excellent courses," explains Sylvia Blackmore of Orlando Golf Realty.

In fact, so popular is golf in Florida, that some two million tourists visit the Sunshine State annually with the sole purpose of playing a round of golf. And with over 1,100 courses to choose from, golfing fanatics aren't often disappointed. Not that the sheer number of golf courses on offer is the only piece of good news for keen golfers. "Prices for a three-bedroom villa with golf course frontage start from US$250,000 (approximately 198,650 euros)", continues Blackmore. "This compares favourably with beach properties, where it would be almost impossible to buy a house for that amount, although an apartment could be obtained in some areas."

The chasing pack
While you could compare the golf conditions in Spain and Florida, along with those in Portugal's Algarve, to the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh – having proven themselves over a number of years – there are now golfing facilities springing up in other countries that could perhaps be likened to players like Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald  – not at the top yet, but expected to get there one day.

Cyprus is just one country where golf is being used to entice a new breed of overseas property buyer to the country. Despite not venturing into the golfing market until as recently as 1992 – mainly due to the fact that before this date authorities struggled to keep courses green as a result of the country's perennial sunshine – Southern Cyprus is now the third most popular European golfing destination for Brits. Since 2002, Cyprus has welcomed in excess of 30,000 golfers annually, and with plans to make Cyprus part of the European circuit in the near future, these numbers look set to increase. "In order to become a golfing destination on a par with other European countries we have to be able to offer five premier golf courses [there are currently four]", says Litsa Chrysostomou of Cyprus Properties Unlimited. "The plans that have now been put in place will far exceed that. The development of these new courses and the inevitable inclusion in the European circuit will bring massive rewards to Cyprus, particularly in the property market."

North Cyprus is also looking to jump on the golf bandwagon. Currently there is just one golf course in the north (and that consists just nine holes), but an 18-hole championship course is under construction near Esentepe, and this has already attracted the attention of property developers. "We are building flats and villas around 500 metres away from the course but other projects are planned that will overlook the golf course", says Ian Smith of Ian Smith Estates. While the course is unlikely to offer the same kind of quality on offer in countries like Spain, Portugal or even Southern Cyprus, there are other advantages of buying in such a new market. "The price range for these properties will be between 65,000 euros to 290,000 euros plus", says Smith.

Not content with city, coastal and ski properties, Bulgaria is also looking to add golfing abodes to its seemingly endless property portfolio. "As the number of tourists coming from Western Europe continues to grow there is a big demand for golf courses", says Andrea Marie Portugal, marketing manager of Imoinvest. Such demand has paved the way for the Dolna Banja golf club – another Jack Nicklaus-designed course – situated on the north-east slopes of the Rila Mountains. The course is expected to be the first of many to be developed in the coming years with some spots along the Black Sea Coast already earmarked for future golf courses. Like in North Cyprus, prices for properties on Bulgaria's first major golfing developments are very affordable. "The prices will range from 100,000 euros for a 120 metre square property, to 300,000 euros for a 300 metre square home", says Portugal.  

Prize money
Of course, the quality of the golf on offer isn't the only consideration that people interested in owning a property by a golf course should take into account. In fact, you don't even necessarily have to play or even like golf for the purchase of such a property to be worthwhile. Much like owning a villa or apartment on the coast of a popular holiday destination, the ownership of a property in a golf resort also offers a good chance of a steady rental potential, thus making them attractive acquisitions for investment buyers. Obviously how much rent you will be able to charge will be dependent on the location of your property.

During the peak season in up-and-coming destinations like North Cyprus and Bulgaria, you can expect rental returns to be somewhere in the region of £500 (approximately 725 euros) a week, while off season you would be looking at a figure closer to £200 (approximately 250 euros). In Southern Cyprus, however, potential yields are slightly higher. "Rental on a property worth around £250,000 is around £700 (approximately 1,000 euros) a week in high season with a substantial villa realising a return of around £1,200 (approximately 1,750 euros) which is a very good return", says Pauline Gallagher of Halcyon Properties. "Owners also have the benefit of the property for their own use for the rest of the year which is probably why interest has tripled recently." Florida also offers golf-property owners a year-round season. "The off-season period for Americans is during the summer, but that's when Brits are more interested in coming here", says Blackmore. "Americans prefer to play between January and April so basically it's high season all year round", she adds.

For top whack rental potential, however, you need look no further than the Costa del Sol. There, a property in a popular resort will comfortably pocket you in excess of 1,500 euros a week in high season. But it is important to remember that while it is all very well and good knowing what it is possible to receive from letting your property, you will still need people to use it if you are to make money. In theory, it perhaps makes more sense to purchase a home in an already established golfing mecca, as although it may be initially more expensive to purchase a property there than one in an up-and-coming area, the golfing facilities will be more appealing to the serious golfing clientele. However, at the same time, with more golf courses around there are also likely to be a greater number of similar-minded property owners competing for your business. There may also be other local attractions competing for the tourist market, to use Florida as an example: Disneyland.

In many ways, purchasing a golf property as an investment is as much a gamble as predicting who is going win the Open. Yes, Tiger Woods may be the favourite but that doesn't mean that he's definitely going to win! But if there's one thing you can be sure of: if you're idea of a heaven is spending time on the fairways, it's that purchasing an overseas property on or near a golf course will put a stop to having to endure the often miserable UK weather. Unfortunately, however, it won't stop your significant other from moaning when you spend all day on the green!

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For further information:
Polaris World
Imoinvest
Halcyon Properties
Cyprus Properties Unlimited
Orlando Golf Realty
Ian Smith Estates

Image courtesy of Visit Florida

Article first published in March 2006