by Robert Borges on December 16, 2024

Looking for the perfect place to tee off year-round? The Sunbelt offers some of the finest golf communities and courses in the country, where sunny weather and world-class golfing come together to create an ideal lifestyle for enthusiasts. Whether you're eyeing the desert landscapes of Arizona, the coastal charm of Florida, or the rolling fairways of California, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas, Sunbelt golf communities provide not just stunning courses, but also resort-style amenities, vibrant social scenes, and a welcoming atmosphere for golfers of all levels. In this article, we’ll highlight the top Sunbelt golf communities that combine championship courses with exceptional living – the ultimate destinations for those who live and breathe golf.

Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, Arizona

Desert Mountain sunbelt golf in Arizona

At over 8,000 acres and boasting six championship-caliber courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Desert Mountain isn't just a Sunbelt golf community – it's a golfer's paradise. The innovative, 3,114-yard No. 7 course (a par 54) recently opened and is ideal for experienced players and beginners. Fourteen holes can even be played with a putter from the forward tees. And with Scottsdale serving up more than 300 sunny days a year, almost every day holds the probability of a tee time.

K. Hovnanian's® Four Seasons at Terra Lago, Indio, California

Four Seasons at Terra Lago Sunbelt Golf in California

A one-time host to the former Skins Game, Terra Lago's centerpiece is a 36-hole Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt combination that lets golfers walk in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Fred Couples. The North and South courses offer a beguiling contrast of lush fairways and rustic desert surrounds on the Coachella's Valley's east end. Indio's January and February temps in the 70s and 80s paired with its arid desert climate create ideal "winter" playing conditions.

Sailfish Point, Stuart, Florida

Sailfish Point Sunbelt Golf in Florida

Does Sunbelt golf get any better than in The Sunshine State itself? Seemingly dropped from the heavens onto a 532-acre barrier island along Florida's Treasure Coast, Sailfish Point is home to a Nicklaus Signature Course that recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation. The practice facility is coming off a major expansion that included the installation of new target greens. For golfers with a passion for deep-sea fishing, Sailfish Point has no rival. There's an 84-slip Marina and Yacht Club, waterfront homes with docks with deep water access, and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic are just a five-minute boat ride away.

Reynolds Lake Oconee, Gainesville, Georgia

Reynolds Lake Oconee Sunbelt Golf in Georgia

This sprawling golf wonderland midway between Atlanta and Augusta is home to six regulation layouts designed by Nicklaus, Bob Cupp, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones and Jim Engh. The Golden Bear's Great Water course, ranked by the holy trinity of GOLF Magazine, Golfweek and Golf Digest, wraps around the shores of Lake Oconee, providing one of the most scenery-soaked golf experiences in the Southeast. Fazio's National course presents golfers with three nine-hole layouts fashioned from property's hardwood forests, bringing Reynolds' total "hole count" to an astounding 117, making this one of the best golf communities in Georgia.

Rumbling Bald, Lake Lure, North Carolina

Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure Sunbelt Golf in North Carolina

Rumbling Bald in Western North Carolina is one of the few golf communities that offers year-round golf in the mountains. Situated the Blue Ridge foothills at an elevation of just over 1,100 feet, this 3,000-acre retreat features two decidedly different 18-hole tracks, Apple Valley (designed by Dan Maples) and Bald Mountain (designed by W.B. Lewis). Apple Valley, Rumbling Bald's marquee course, recently reopened after the installation of new Champion Bermuda greens. Bald Mountain's rare routing features five par 5s and five par 3s, including the 16th hole, the backdrop of a scene from the movie Dirty Dancing.

Sea Pines, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Sea Pines Sunbelt Golf in South Carolina

This 5,000-acre gated community on the island's south end is the Palmetto State's most iconic Sunbelt golf destination. Home to Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus' famed Harbour Town Golf Links – site of the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage — Sea Pines also claims two other highly-regarded courses: Heron Point by Pete Dye, Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III. Also within the gates, Sea Pines Country Club houses a private Arnold Palmer / Clyde Johnston design featuring holes along one of the island's most expansive tidal marshes. Members have exclusive access to the club's course and can also add preferred access to the resort's three courses.

Boot Ranch, Fredericksburg, Texas

Boot Ranch Subelt Golf in Texas

Boot Ranch is the quintessential Texas Hill Country golf community, boasting a highly-rated, 7250-yard Hal Sutton-designed golf course and spacious, members only clubhouse. For golfers who relish game improvement, Boot Ranch is a prayer answered. There's a 34-acre "Practice Park" with a three-sided driving range and one-acre "Putting Park" with the largest putting green in Texas. The Sunbelt golf course recently landed at No. 6 in the Dallas Morning News' vaunted Top 100 Texas Golf Courses.

Explore Hundreds of Top Golf Communities with PCR

The Sunbelt offers a wealth of golf communities that provide stunning courses, exceptional amenities, and a lifestyle designed for golf lovers. Whether you're looking to live in a vibrant active adult community or a serene, scenic golf course setting, the options are endless. Ready to explore even more of the country’s top lifestyle communities? With PCR’s advanced search tool, you can easily find over 55 golf communities in Florida and browse a wide range of golf retirement communities across the U.S. Start your search today to discover the perfect spot to call home and enjoy the game you love all year round!