A place in the sun

Golfing solitude: Imagine having your own place in the sun with golf on tap (Mark Newcmbe/visionsingolf.com)

With, 32,000 golf courses worldwide and 56 million golfers playing on a regular basis in 119 countries, is it any surprise that residential property is sprouting up around the most stunning layouts? In Europe alone, course developement has doubled in the last 20 years with 500 new courses built since 2002.

In part because of its exclusive and perhaps elitist image, golf is often regarded as a game played by powerful people and its role in deal-making - especially in the US where 27 million are registered, half of whom play at least eight times a year on 50,000 courses - is well documented.

Table shows biggest percentage of visitors to a particular country

In Japan, where 10 per-cent of the population play and in Asia, which has more than 17 million golfers, the game is considered even more as a key to business communication.

The venerated heads of American conglomerates from John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, and Andrew Carnegie were all golfers, while Presidents Eisenhauer, Kennedy, Clinton and George Bush senior and junior have all been devoted enthusiasts.

Most sportsmen consider it their second sport, while celebrities - from film stars to rock stars - see golf as both competitive and glamorous.

Catherine Zeta-Jones has gone on record saying that golf is a major factor in her relationship with husband Michael Douglas.

Catherine Zeta Jones - devoted to golf

While England has the largest number of courses - Scotland is regarded as the home and birthplace of golf with over 540 courses. St. Andrews Links is a collection of six courses around the historic town and attracts tourists from all over the world estimated as worth more than £120 million to the Scottish economy.

The UK and Ireland are the most well-developed golfing markets in Europe containing overall four million golfers of whom 30% are registered and with a participation rate of around 7%.

In Continental Europe, Spain (310 courses) and Portugal (75) are major drivers of the golf tourism market, with the Malaga region earning over Euro 900 million from golf tourists last year, 15 per-cent more than in 2005. Overall golf in Spain attracts E2.4billion, directly and indirectly from 500,000 golf tourists and Portugal E1.8 (250,000), though in both nations water availability is a major problem for environmental sustainability.

National golf club in Turkey

In Cyprus there are plans to develop 14 courses in total from the current four.

In the US, while Scottsdale, Arizona is regarded as the golfing mecca by residents, South Carolina has over 340 courses with the Myrtle Beach area boasting over 100 top quality designs along a 50-mile stretch of Highway 17 is rated the top target for visiting overseas golfers.

Leading countries in Europe with courses and registered players in

The combination of golf courses and surrounding residential homes is a major property trend in recent years because of the value-added dimension that these developments present. The prospects for rental opportunities are also much higher and according to a KPMG survey, in developed golfing markets, such as those in Western Europe and in America, the development of a golf course is part of a mix to attract high spending tourists.

In less-developed markets increasing the number of people who play golf is the primary goal and thus there is more emphasis on cheap, affordable courses.

A golf course development project takes about four years (49 months), with average cost of construction of an 18 hole course in the African region E3.56million, while constructing a 9-hole course is about a third less at (E1.23million). In Eastern Europe an 18-hole course will cost about E1.25million, while a signature architect design fee is likely to be at least five times more than non-signature design fees (E1.19million compared to E0.22 million).

Despite the fluctuating pound, dollar and euro, the demand for a place in the sun is growing, even though the number of golfers playing worldwide seems to have reach a plateau among the main nations that play. Perhaps the time has come to take that decision whether to make the most of of your retirement or leisure time and invest in a future where you can devote your life to your passion.

For more information on golf investments in Turkey and other destinations contact Hollingworth & Associates' on 08454 567737 or visit the website at www.hollingworthassociates.com.

Do you have a place in the sun or a regular haunt where you can escape to pursue your favourite sport. Tell us your recommendations on the forum.