7 Benefits of Living in a Golf Community in South Carolina

A SC golf community (Golden Hills) with a view of the golf course, a lake, woods, and a golf cart in the distance on a sunny day.

In South Carolina, golf is a big deal. To say the least. Many people know that some of the best golf courses in the country are found here in our state along the coast.

But Columbia, SC is also known for some of the best golf courses in South Carolina. The Columbia area also happens to be one of the most popular destinations for people to move to in the state.

Let’s look at some of the benefits about living in golf communities, in general, and especially golf communities in Columbia, SC. If you’ve been dreaming of living near a golf course or you think you may be interested in the idea, this post is for you.

One of the lakes and the clubhouse on top of a grassy hill (in Golden Hills, one of many gated golf communities in South Carolina).

What is a golf course community?

A golf course community is a residential housing subdivision or another type of residential living area built adjacent to, and often affiliated with, a particular golf course.

The golf course, and its clubhouse, are generally the center of activities in the neighborhood. And many of the homes have a beautiful golf course view or wooded lots or views of lakes or ponds.

Why do people want to live on golf courses?

There are a lot of advantages to living on a golf course. Obviously, most golf lovers would jump at the chance to live close to something they are so passionate about. But even people who don’t play golf generally enjoy living in a golf community.

Here are seven of our favorite benefits of living on a golf course.

Beautiful views

Everyone appreciates a beautiful view. Whether it is a pond or water feature on the course, the rolling green hills, the impeccable landscaping, or wooded lots. There is no doubt that having a golf course in your backyard provides peaceful, gorgeous scenery in your life.

Focus on health and an active lifestyle

Golf in South Carolina is one way to stay fit and healthy. But there are other opportunities in a golf course community many times like tennis, swimming, biking, hiking/walking trails, and more. Having easy access to activities, classes, and fitness options makes it a lot more likely that you and your family will be able to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Golfing opportunities

If you live on a golf course, you may have access to one of the best golf courses in South Carolina in your backyard. That makes it easy to hit the green without worrying about travel time. 

It’s easy to get a group of friends and neighbors together to play a round of golf. At Golden Hills in Lexington, SC, for example, you can play on an 18-hole championship golf course and driving range designed by the esteemed golf architect Ron Carl.

Many golf courses sponsor golf tournaments, and you’ll have the ability to enter and go without having to drive an hour or two.

You may also be able to find pro golf lessons for your kids. And maybe tennis lessons and other sporting events for the family could be right there in your neighborhood.

Tennis courts at Golden Hills Golf Club in Lexington, SC with woods in the background.

High ROI and property value

Golf communities in South Carolina and across the country tend to maintain or increase their property values better than other properties in the area. The golf club will do all it can to help maintain the property value and desirability of the neighborhood.

Many golf course communities have HOAs (homeowners associations) that ensure everyone follows the rules to keep the neighborhood looking its best.

This means that your home may have a better chance of giving you a great return on investment.

Privacy and security

South Carolina gated golf communities generally provide a high degree of privacy in the subdivision. And having a gated entrance means that your home is not on a busy thoroughfare. There is reduced traffic and extra peace of mind for your family’s safety.

Some golf club communities also have their own security, as part of the amenities of the neighborhood.

Potential extra income

Another perk of owning a luxury home on a beautiful golf course is that you may be able to earn money when you are away if you'd like to rent your property out as a vacation home, depending on the neighborhood.

A junior Olympic-sized pool with a white picket fence and pool house at Golden Hills Golf Club in South Carolina.

Resort lifestyle

Often, a golf course community has a resort lifestyle with many luxury amenities like a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, and other perks.

You can get a resort lifestyle in other neighborhoods, as well. For example, Saluda River Club, in Lexington, SC. It is located along the river and has river access, a clubhouse, two swimming pools, walking trails, and more amenities.

But golf club living can have all of those benefits, many times, plus the advantage of a golf course, which is quite attractive to the golf aficionados among us.

Sense of community

These communities are often tightly knit as residents tend to get to know each other on the golf course or as they enjoy the various activities and facilities in the neighborhood. Having common tennis courts, neighborhood events, and similar interests makes it easy for people to get to know each other in ways that just don’t usually happen in other neighborhoods these days.

A lot of golf clubs host social events and even offer special discounts for membership fees for neighbors. Some golf communities include membership in the cost of the homes.

With so many people feeling disconnected from one another, moving to a place where it’s convenient to build new friendships has a lot of appeal for young professionals, executives, families, and retirees. 

A screened-in back porch with elegant patio furniture and a view of woods and a golf course in South Carolina (Golden Hills).

Golf Course Living in the Midlands of South Carolina

Here are a few of the more popular golf communities in South Carolina that we have in the Midlands. We’ll list a few of the more affordable ones and some of the luxury ones in the area.

Affordable golf communities in the Columbia, SC area

Charwood Neighborhood  

The Charwood Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole semi-private golf club that is family owned. Explore older, more established homes beside the golf club in this beautiful West Columbia, SC neighborhood. These homes are zoned for Lexington 2 Schools.

Indian River Neighborhood

The Indian River Golf Club is a Scottish-style public golf course with a clubhouse. The neighborhood is a non-gated community that overlooks the golf course with established homes in the Lexington 2 School District.

One of Blythe Building Company’s 2-story luxury homes with Hardie Plank siding is situated on a lovely golf course in South Carolina (Golden Hills, Lexington, SC).

Luxury golf communities in the Columbia, SC area

Cobblestone Park Neighborhood

Cobblestone Park Golf Club is a gorgeous 27-hole golf course in Blythewood, SC, which is one of the most desirable areas on the northeast side of Columbia. The club has a large pool, 7 tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball and volleyball courts (in a gym), playground, and fitness facility. There is a large clubhouse with event-hosting capabilities and a restaurant, Alexander’s at Cobblestone Park.

This neighborhood is zoned for Richland 2 Schools and Westwood High School.

Golden Hills Neighborhood

Golden Hills Golf and Country Club is an exquisite 18-hole championship course with rolling hills and lakes throughout with a rustic clubhouse that has banquet facilities, a Scottish tavern, and golf shop in the thriving town of Lexington, SC. 

Lexington is one of the fastest-growing towns in the state. The Golden Hills neighborhood is a gated private community set around the golf course known for its luxurious lifestyle. This neighborhood is zoned for the prestigious Lexington 1 School District and River Bluff High School.

The Woodlands

The Woodlands Country Club is close to downtown and offers an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis, swimming, and a clubhouse with event hosting capabilities. The Woodlands also has an affiliated neighborhood and HOA with established homes in Richland 2 Schools.

Timberlake Point 

Located in the upscale Chapin, SC area (on the northwest side of Columbia), the Timberlake Country Club has the only golf course on Lake Murray, a large man-made lake near Columbia, SC. The Country Club offers golf, dining options, swimming, and beautiful views of Lake Murray.

There are 38 exclusive estate homesites in the Timberlake subdivision to choose from, many of which are lakeside. This area is zoned for Lexington-Richland School District 5 and highly ranked Chapin High School.

A Columbia, South Carolina golf course with lake, sand bar, and woods with a stone retaining wall near a residential area. (Golden Hills in Lexington, SC)

Is South Carolina good for golf?

We have over 350 golf courses across the state. Our temperate climate means that golfing in South Carolina is a viable option year-round here.

Golf resorts and vacations in South Carolina  

We are well known for Myrtle Beach, the “Golf Capital of the World” with over 80 courses within a few miles of each other. Kiawah Island also has some stunning beachside golf courses. And Hilton Head Island has over 23 amazing courses with oceanfront views.

Our coastline is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country where people can enjoy our beautiful beaches and some of the best golf courses in the nation.

But great resort golfing in South Carolina isn’t limited to one town. We have golf resorts all over the coast.

Residential golf communities in South Carolina   

Golf course communities in South Carolina have popped up all over the state from the coast to the Midlands and all the way to the Upstate in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

If you are interested in living in a luxury golf course community in South Carolina, you’ll find that housing is a lot more affordable here than in many other parts of the country. Plus, we have a lower cost of living than many larger cities. That makes golf communities in South Carolina very attractive to a lot of golf lovers and homebuyers.

But the best bang for your buck with luxury housing on a golf course is found in the Columbia, SC area. Here, the cost of living is less than in Greenville, Charleston, or the beach. But you are close to both the mountains and the ocean (just a 1-2 hour drive to either one). Yet, you don't have to worry with as much snow and ice as they have in the upstate and you aren't right on the coast where hurricanes would be a concern on the ocean.

There are a lot of economic opportunities in Columbia, SC and a wealth of things to do and outdoor leisure activities available on Lake Murray, the River Walk (Columbia, Cayce, and West Columbia), USC Gamecock football, the Riverbanks Zoo (ranks 7th in the nation), the nightlife at The Vista downtown, and more.

Here in the Midlands, you have your pick from several amazing golf communities in Lexington, Blythewood, Chapin, Pine Ridge, and other areas around Columbia that are sure to delight you.

A closeup of a white golf ball about to go into a hole on a golf course at sunset.

Can you golf all year round in South Carolina?

South Carolina has relatively mild winters. There are a few cold snaps here and there. But temperatures don’t usually stay below freezing for long. We very rarely get snow or ice. And if we do have issues, it’s usually over in a day or two. 

We often have multiple days in January and February where we see 70+ degree temperatures and glorious sunshine.

Our climate here in South Carolina means that, while there may be a few days here and there when you couldn’t play golf due to rain or cold, most of the time, the weather is great for golf.

A Blythe Building Company 2-story luxury home with lime washed brick in Golden Hills (one of the South Carolina gated golf communities in the Columbia area.)

Ready to live in one of the best golf communities in the Columbia, SC area?

We fell in love with the Golden Hills Golf Community in Lexington, SC with its stunning lake views and rolling green hills. That’s why we decided we wanted to build luxury homes there. 

It’s near the heart of Lexington, which is one of the greatest areas in which to live in the state of South Carolina. It has so many amenities to offer to its residents and beauty beyond compare. And is a gated community with security.

If you’re interested in building your dream home in a golf community in Lexington, SC, we can help. 

At Blythe Building Company, we build custom homes (starting in the $700k+ range) in Golden Hills. We have some spec homes for sale in 2023 and beyond. And we have more lots available for a limited time if you’d like to choose one of our 6 home plans available in this neighborhood and let us customize it for you.

Please contact Elizabeth Ferguson at The Moore Company for more information about our spec homes, tours, and available lots.

Phone: 803-477-3930

Email: elizabeth@themoorecompany.com 

You are welcome to check out our gallery for more of our work. (Newest homes are at the bottom.)

We also build custom homes on your own lot. If you are interested in building something unique on a piece of land you already own,

Please contact us today.

We build custom luxury homes in Chapin, Lexington, Blythewood, Lake Carolina, Lake Murray, West Columbia, downtown, and other places all around the Midlands of South Carolina.

• South Carolina Living