Are you thinking about buying in a golf community?

If you are an enthusiastic golfer, the number of other good golf courses in the area should also come through; playing every week at your own club can become boring.

"Ideally, you want at least a few public courses less than an hour away from you, so you have the opportunity to use some variety when you play," said Rowlinson.

FIND AN EXPERIENCED BROKER

More often than not, buyers who are interested in golf communities usually do not work with brokers who are well informed about the areas they are looking for are, said Blake Plumley, the chief executive of Capital Pursuits, a development consultancy that specializes in resort residence. Ask them when interviewing potential brokers how many property they have sold in the communities. Ideally, it should be different.

Inquire also about three positive aspects and three disadvantages of living in those communities. "Your broker should be able to answer this easily," Plumley said.

The broker must personally be the membership director of the golf club, the general manager, the main golf pro and a few other key figures in the communities. "You want a broker that you can introduce directly to these people," Plumley said.

LOOKS FOR MAIN FACILITIES

Successful golf communities offer much more than golf – so much so that they are likely to attract many non-golfing residents, Rowlinson said.

Desirable facilities include a clubhouse with more than one social gathering area, tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool with a grill area, a high-quality restaurant, an informal dining option and a bar. A family-friendly club is also important. The best communities have a robust line-up of activities for children and families, such as summer camps, boat and walking excursions, pool days, fun dinners with a food theme such as taco evening and more.