2024 GCH Annual Index – Top 10 Golf Communities – Golf Retirement Planner

~ 2024 GCH Annual Index ~
Year-End Double Issue

> The Year: A Growing Market with Headwinds
> The Most-Visited Communities – Where Buyers Want to Live
> The 2024 GCH Community of the Year
> 2024’s Most-Wanted Amenities – The Top 10
> The Most Popular Community Types, Lifestyle
> 2024 Top Search Categories
> The Most Search-For States
> The Golf Retirement Planner
> New Communities & Coming Soon in 2025
> The Most Popular Homes of 2024
> The GCH Index Through the Years

Happy New Year!  Welcome to the 2024 GCH Annual Index–an in-depth look at all of 2024’s activity on the Golf Course Home Network. To see all the sections, click on  the headlines listed above and it will jump you to the desired section.

Initiated in 2011, this year marks the 13th consecutive edition. A labor of love, this year’s compilation is the largest one we’ve done yet, and we are excited to present it to you.

The GCH Annual Index is like having the entire year at your fingertips–it features the year’s new communities, most-visited communities, retirement advice, top amenities, most popular homes and much more. Scroll down and enjoy!—David Lott, Founder/Publisher

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2024 GCH Annual Index
The Year: A Growing Market, with Headwinds

Riverton Pointe, SC: Many new homes to choose from.

Purchasing real estate in 2024 continued to be a challenge for purchasers who depended on obtaining a mortgage. The number of cash buyers rose as Boomers sold their primary homes for increasingly higher prices.

The highly anticipated drop in the Fed rate took place–a total of a full point–but those moves haven’t translated into lower mortgage rates.

Quite the contrary, as rates resumed their climb in September after the first rate cut.

Lake Arrowhead, GA: A variety of new home designs.

Some rate watchers have predicted higher mortgage rates in 2025. Low inventories continue to be a concern as well. Thus, your investigations on Golf Course Home will need to be thorough and carefully reviewed

One thing we suggest is to keep an eye out for golf communities where inventories are growing and new homes are being built. Heritage Shores, DE, Riverton Pointe, SC, and Lake Arrowhead, GA, all have robust builder activity. And condos and townhouses are consistently the most affordable.

Luxury Homes Come to the Fore

The Field Club, MA: Martha’s Vineyard $6M luxury residence.

The desire for luxury homes (over $800,000) continues to rise as cash-flush Boomers seek their retirement homes, and thus, you will see more luxury homes featured in our 3x/week e-newsletters and on GolfCourseHome.com in 2025.

And keep your eye out for more buying opportunities and more communities–nine new entries in 2024. Look for a tenth community in January. —The Editors  (Lead photo:The Club at Ibis, FL)

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Golf Grows Again

Indian River Colony Club, FL: Golfers play for a Cure.

The good news for the game of golf is that the sport continues to grow. According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of on-course golfers has increased for six straight years.

The NGF now says that more than 26 million people play golf either on-course or both on- and off-course. Add in another 18 million who play only off-course and you have a total of 45 million Americans who pick up the sticks and play.

Since 2018, on-course golfers have been getting younger (average age down to 43 from 46) and an additional 1.3 million females have hit the links for the first time.

Course Closures Shrink, New Courses Arrive

Reynolds Lake Oconee, GA: New T. Fazio layout on the horizon.

In another positive note, the NGF noted that golf course closures came in last year at their lowest figure in nearly 20 years.

The flip side of the closures was new course openings–the U.S. celebrated 34 new golf course openings in 2023, the highest number in over a decade.

The NGF also follows new courses under construction and in the planning stages. As of the end of 2023, the NGF was tracking 69 new courses under construction and 47 in the planning stages. More golfers, new places to play—that’s a great outlook for the coming year.

Burlingame Country Club, NC‘s first year has been a good one.

The Top 10 Most Visited Communities for the year earned their spots by consistently ranking high all year long.

The list features three new-elite-level entries of which Riverton Pointe, SC and Burlingame Country Club, NC, were new to the GCH Network in 2024.

Two communities–The Club at Quail Ridge, FL, and Moss Creek, SC–made strong moves into the Top 5 from their  second-5 finish in 2023.

In all, 26 different communities enjoyed at least one stint ranked amongst a month’s favored 10, and four different communities topped at least one month as the most-visited community. See the complete list, below.

Most-Visited Communities – GolfCourseHome.com

1. Harbour Ridge Yacht & CC, Stuart, FL
2. The Club at Quail Ridge, Boynton Beach, FL – Up from No. 3
3. Trilogy, Rio Verde, AZ  – Up from No. 8
4. Moss Creek, Hilton Head Island, SC – Up from No. 9
5. Riverton Pointe, Hardeeville, SC – New to Top 10

6. Lake Arrowhead, Waleska, GA – New to Top 10
7. Reynolds Lake Oconee, Greensboro, GA
7. Burlingame Country Club, Sapphire, NC – New to Top 10
9. The Club at Ibis, West Palm Beach, FL
10. Grand Haven, Palm Coast, FL

Honorable Mentions: These communities were also strong performers, landing just outside the Top 10, earning a well-deserved Honorable Mention: Woodside, Aiken, SC; Heritage Shores, Bridgeville, DE, and Farm Neck Golf Club, Oak Bluffs, MA.

Water View Home: Top 5 Communities

Seventeen communities made at least one appearance in the Top 5 on WaterViewHome.net in 2024.

Treasure Lake led the way with seven months being the most viewed community on the site which features communities with ocean, lake, river and pond views.

Newcomers Riverton Pointe, SC, and Governors Land, VA ended the year ranked No. 3 and No. 4 respectively. See the list below.

Most-Visited Communities – WaterViewHome.net

1. Treasure Lake, PA
2. Oldfield, SC
3. Riverton Pointe, SC
4. Governors Land, VA
5. Moss Creek, SC

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2024 GCH Annual Index
The Community of the Year

A world-class spa helps make Harbour Ridge, FL, No. 1.

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, Palm, City, FL, was once again the most-visited community for the year, claiming the top position in nine months out of 12 and was a Top 5 member or better throughout the year.

Riverton Pointe, Hardeeville, SC, made its first full year on GCH a good one with a strong Top 5 showing.

Other communities that claimed a monthly first-place ranking were Burlingame, Sapphire, NC, which excelled in its inaugural year on the GCH Network, and Moss Creek, Hilton Head Island, SC.  See the full ranking list below.

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2024 GCH Annual Index

Most-Wanted AMENITIES

Quail Ridge, FL‘s expansive tennis and pickleball center.

Retirement communities and guarded gates remained the top two priorities for buyers searching for a community in 2024.

Overall, there were significant changes in preferences as fitness activities took a jump higher with fitness center, tennis, camps/children’s activities and walking trails all appearing in the Top 10 list after being knocked off last year.

Water activities remained important with lake, marina and boating all a Top 10-desired amenity.

Out of the Top 10 in 2024 were rentals, equestrian facilities and olympic-size pool.

One wrinkle the editors didn’t expect was to have pickleball nowhere near the most-desired amenities list.

While it may be the fastest growing sport in the U.S., buyers weren’t searching for it. It may just be that pickleball, like swimming pools, are now simply expected to be part of the amenity line-up.

See the complete Top 10 below, with links connecting to a list featuring all communities with the stated amenity.

2024 Top 10 Amenities

1. Retirement Communities
2. Gated Communities
3. Pet Friendly
4. Fitness Center – New
5. Lake
6. Tennis – New
7. 24-Hour Security
7. Marina
9. Boating
10. Camps/Children’s Activities – New
10. Walking Trails – New

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2024 GCH Annual Index

Top 5 Lifestyle Locations

Waterfront living is still a special dream for visitors to Golf Course Home as the search for oceanfront communities repeated again as the No. 1 lifestyle/location choice.

Military communities, such as Indian River Colony Club in Melbourne, FL, continued to be a top choice as well.

Top 5 Locations/Lifestyle

Links go to a list of all communities featuring the stated location/lifestyle:

1. Oceanfront Communities
2. Lake Communities
3. Mountain Communities
4. Island Communities
5. Desert Communities

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2024 GCH Annual Index

The Most Searched-for States

Ford’s Colony, VA: 54 holes helped Virginia climb the rankings.

1. Florida
2. North Carolina – Up from No. 5
3. Georgia
4. South Carolina 
5. Arizona
6. Virginia – Up from No. 7
7. Texas
8. Delaware – Up from No. 9
9. New England – New
10. Pennsylvania

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2024 GCH Index

The Golf Retirement Planner

Lake Arrowhead, GA: Its No. 1 reason: top-notch quality of life.

The Golf Retirement Planner features a number of guides that give top 10 (or more) reasons for retiring to a specific community or location. See a sampling of the guides, below. Go to Golf Retirement Planner for the full list of articles.

• Top 10 Reasons to Retire to Savannah Lakes Village, SC – READ MORE
• Top 10 Reasons to Retire to Harbour Ridge Yacht & CC, FL – READ MORE
• Top 10 Reasons to Retire to Osprey Cove & Coastal Georgia – READ MORE
• 13 Reasons to Retire to The Club at Ibis & West Palm Beach, FL – READ MORE

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2024 GCH Annual Index
Top Search Categories

Here are some of 2024’s most-searched-for categories featuring all the posts related to the search phrase.

• Things To Do – Volunteer Drives, Clinics, Events & More to Make Community Life More Meaningful
• 2024 Newsletters – 12 Months of GCH Newsletters tell the story of 2024
• 2024 Golf/Waterview Homes for Sale – Every home Featured for Sale in 2024
• Discovery Visit Packages – Visit Packages to Experience the Country Club Lifestyle
• Best of the Best –  All articles relating to the Top 20 Golf Communities in North America in one place
• The Golf Retirement Planner – Questions & Answers about Special Places for Retirement

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2024 GCH Annual Index
New Communities on Golf Course Home in 2024

New in Florida: Southern Hills Plantation w/ a Pete Dye layout.

The Golf Course Home Network welcomed seven new member communities from North and South Carolina, Florida and Virginia in 2024 and will welcome its first member from New Jersey in January 2025. See a brief description and links to these recent additions below.

New Communities

FLORIDA

Southern Hills Plantation, Brooksville – A semi-private, resort-style community located amidst uniquely rolling topography, Southern Hills Plantation combines the beauty of Florida’s past with the contemporary appeal of nearby Tampa and Orlando. Amenities include a Pete Dye-designed championship golf course and classic Southern architecture set along tree-lined streets. READ MORE

NORTH CAROLINA

Burlingame Country Club, Sapphire – A private, member-owned sporting community set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A member-owned club, it offers a suite of world-class amenities, championship golf course and casually elegant clubhouse. READ MORE

SOUTH CAROLINA

Hampton Lake, Bluffton – A private, 1,157-acre lakefront community located minutes from Hilton Head, Savannah and Beaufort. The community overlooks a 227-acre freshwater lake commanding 15 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by a 470-acre nature preserve. READ MORE

Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head – A private, gated community for active adults age 55 and up. Inspired by the music and lifestyle of legendary singer, songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett, the community takes pride in its active lifestyle focused on fun, fitness and recreation. READ MORE

Riverton Pointe, Hardeeville – Is a new, master-planned community in Hardeeville, SC, featuring a Nicklaus Design golf course, pool, clubhouse, tennis, pickleball, fitness center and new construction homes. READ MORE

VIRGINIA

Colonial Heritage, Williamsburg, VA – A gated golf community for adults 55 and up with clubhouse, fitness center, tennis, swimming and more. READ MORE

Governors Land, Williamsburg, VA – A  private golf and waterfront community with Harbor & Marina Village, tennis, fitness, swimming and much more. READ MORE

Coming January 2025

New Jersey

Westlake Golf & Country Club, Jackson – An active, 55+ adult community, featuring a resident-owned, 18-hole championship golf course designed by Arthur Hills. Centrally located and close to all major highways, Westlake offers pickleball, tennis, swimming, games, entertainment, a highly rated restaurant and 30+ special-interest clubs.

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2024 GCH Annual Index
The Most Popular Homes

The 2024 Most Viewed Home is in Savannah Lakes Village, SC.

There’s no denying it, the cost of a golf course home is going up. Last year the most popular homes featured in our Golf Homes section ranged in price from $285,000 to $575,000.

This year the top range climbed to $695,000. The average price was $476,000.

In addition, to keep up with the rising tide of prices, we have added a new Luxury Homes & Land section to our 3/week e-newsletter for homes priced from $800,000 to $2 million+. This price level is growing as the homes that people sell to acquire a golf home is climbing in price, too.

Watch for New Homes Every Monday – Thursday

Luxury home on Brush Pond, Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard.

Be on the lookout each week–Monday through Thursday–when we post new homes, condos, villas and cottages for sale on the GCH homepage and feature them in our e-newsletter (subscribe here).

They’ll be easy to spot as each home enjoys up to 10 days in the spotlight on the homepage and in the newsletter.

See below in order of the most number of views received, our most popular homes.

The Most Popular Homes for 2024

1. Savannah Lakes Village, SC – 3 BRs/3 BAs – $480,000  READ MORE

2. St. James Plantation, NC – 4 BRs /3 BAs – $605,000 READ MORE

3. Woodside, SC –  3 BRs/2 BAs – $495,000 READ MORE

4. Colonial Heritage, VA –  3 BRs/3 BAs – $489,000 READ MORE

5. The Club at Ibis, FL – 3 BRs/2.5 BAs – $399,900 READ MORE

6. Osprey Cove, GA – 3 BRs/2.5 BAs – $589,000 READ MORE

7. Harbour Ridge, FL – 2 BRs/2 BAs – $299,000 READ MORE

8. Savannah Lakes Village, SC – 2 BRs/2 BAs – $237,000 READ MORE

9. Reynolds Lake Oconee, GA – 3 BRs/3.5 BAs – $695,000 READ MORE

10. Reynolds Lake Oconee, GA – 3 BRs / 2 BAs – $655,000 READ MORE

11. The Club at Ibis, FL – 3 BRs/2 BAs – $375,000 READ MORE

12. Savannah Lakes Village, SC – 3 BRs/2 BAs – $399,000 READ MORE

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2024 GCH Annual Index
The GCH Annual Index Through the Years

Woodside, SC: Every year, a part of the GCH Index.

The GCH Annual Index has been published every year from 2011 to 2024–13 years and counting. To see them all, click here!

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