Among the more complex areas are the rules concerning boundary fences and how to play shots that incorporate such fences without incurring penalties. Boundary fences serve to distinguish the playing area of the golf course -- in bounds -- and the area that is not in play -- out of bounds.
According to USGA rules, the fence does not count as an obstruction because out of bounds objects cannot be regarded as obstructions. Consequently, the player cannot take relief from the fence with a free drop.
Assuming a ball resting against a boundary fence is in bounds, a player cannot strike the ball while it rests against the fence. According to USGA rules, the fence does not count as an obstruction because out of bounds objects cannot be regarded as obstructions.
Chain link fences, for example, have a tendency to bow out or in, depending on the forces exerted upon them. If a ball comes to rest against a segment of chain link fence bowed in toward the golf course that is clearly inside the fence posts for that segment, it is in bounds, as described in the book "Golf Rules Explained."
Owners may or may not be able to install fences, some restrictive covenants may prohibit them, or limit the style and/or height of the fence. Many golf courses snake their way throughout a community and there can be easements for golf carts across an owner's property.
Interference from Boundary Objects I have interference from an out of bounds fence, stake or wall – what are my options? A. You do not get free relief from objects that define or mark the course boundary.
“This means an 18-hole course of all short par 3s could be built on as little as 30 acres, while an intermediate length or executive course of 18 holes of par 3s and 4s would require 75-100 acres, and a full size par 72 course would need 120-200 acres.
Golf course properties typically have great resale value, selling at two to three times that of an average home – which is a magnet for investors.
In each of these situations, you are entitled to move your ball without incurring any penalty. The one exception where you wouldn't receive relief are fences, walls, or anything that mark the boundary of the golf course.
When a player's ball lies above the ground (such as in a bush or a tree), the player may take lateral relief by using the point on the ground directly below the spot of the ball as his or her reference point: The relief area.
Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.
150 acresAt the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).
90 million gallonsIn California, an average 18-hole golf course sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Mike Huck, a water management consultant who works with golf courses statewide.
Well Manicured & Beautiful Surroundings Another benefit of buying a home on a golf course is that the majority of the surroundings will be well manicured and maintained. Since most golf courses pride themselves on the condition of their grounds, the chances of having well manicured surroundings is higher.
If you have a bedroom that faces out to the course, it's likely your sleep could be interrupted by noise and headlights of the grounds crew. Also, many golf courses receive a regular dousing of pesticides and fertilizer. Depending on the products used, runoff may be toxic for people and pets.
According to the National Golf Foundation's 2010 Operating & Financial Performance Profiles of 18-hole golf facilities in the U.S., private 18-hole golf clubs had average total revenue of $3,277,000 in 2009, but with total expenses of $3,204,500.
Essentially what this means is that if the player is not making sensible choices, such as teeing off in the wrong direction, purposefully aiming at a house or car, deciding to cut across a dogleg that puts personal property in jeopardy, then they should be liable for damages caused by their unreasonable actions.
To those that argue the homeowner’s insurance should cover the damage , the response is that homeowners pay a high premium on insurance to cover their property, not because they are responsible for the damage, but because getting a golfer to pay for the damage they cause is not always possible.
While golfers might be liable for the damage, proving that an individual golfer was the cause of such damage can be very tricky. When the sound of breaking glass is heard, many players pick up their bag and hustle away to the next hole instead of knocking on the door and taking responsibility for their poor aim.
Golf courses are known for their lush and well maintained greens. Con: Courses are typically mowed very early in the morning, which some people may enjoy watching while sipping their morning coffee. If you’re not a morning person, check out the location of the master bedroom.
For avid golfers, there is a notable upside to being able to walk out your front door and play golf any time you want. In addition to having your next round of golf right outside your door, living on a golf course often affords views of sprawling green vistas.
Con: A n airborne golf ball landing on you, your car or your home is a definite possibility. If you’re especially concerned about dealing with broken windows and ball damage, search for a home further away from the fairways. With that in mind, you’ll want to make sure you have the right insurance in place. Your homeowners insurance typically covers ...
2. Noise. Pro: Unless the course has lights, golfers can’t golf after dark. Therefore, you’ll be able to enjoy quiet evenings on your deck or patio.
Also, many golf courses receive a regular dousing of pesticides and fertilizer. Depending on the products used, runoff may be toxic for people and pets. At each course you visit, consider asking about what type of lawn care products they use and how often the grounds crew treats the greens. 5. Restrictions.
Pro: It’s common for golf communities to be regulated by a homeowners association. Some associations stipulate landscaping and maintenance requirements. Always make sure to find out if your community has a homeowners association.
ROUGHS. Roughs are generally uneven areas covered with high grass, brush, and stones bordering golf course fairways. When examining these parts of a golf course, examiners will generally conclude the land preparation costs of creating the roughs are not depreciable.
In addition, the costs of general earthmoving, grading, and shaping of all golf course land improvements are also not depreciable. These costs are attributable to land preparation that is inextricably associated with the land and are, thus, added to the taxpayer's cost basis in the land and not depreciable. BUNKERS.
In most cases such as this, intent is the key word (after locating the golfers responsible, of course). In many such cases, the plaintiff must prove that the golfer intentionally hit their ball into a homeowner’s property.
One of the top benefits (or detriments, depending on if you are the buyer or the seller) of living in a golfing community is the higher level of property value, property quality and demand.
A court case in the early 1990s illustrates perfectly the difficulties homeowners have in recouping damages caused by golf balls. In 1992, three homeowners on the sixth hole of the Gold Course at Dallas Athletic Club filed suit after stray golf balls damaged their homes and vehicles.
Within a golf course community, certain homes may have a higher perceived value than others by perspective buyers as well, as homeowners may prefer homes with certain views of the golf course or specific locations. “Many buyers come to me looking for a golf course lot,” said Cindy O’Gorman, one of the nation’s top realtors.
While incidents of individuals being seriously injured by a wayward golf ball are extremely rare, broken windows and beat up grass is much more common. Another big concern is privacy. To say it plainly – if you live on a golf course, you won’t have any.
There are so many wonderful advantages to living on a golf course or in a golf course community – from the high property values and quality school districts that usually are nearby, to the other community amenities and golf at your fingertips, living on a golf course is living the dream. Of course, it isn’t always fun and games, ...
Many public courses around the country – especially in tourist-rich golf areas such as Arizona and California – will offer severely discounted rates and green fees to residents to promote more local play. Usually all they require is a driver’s license the proves your residence.
July 16th, 2018. Many residential communities have homeowners associations (HOA’s) or property owners associations (POA’s) which govern architectural standards, common area maintenance and community rules. Since some have golf or club amenities, whether the HOA/POA owns the club or not it has a vested interest in the club’s economics.
There’s often a conflict because some demand financial independence of the clubs while others feel the community as a whole benefits from the club and all should support the club.
If a club or community boasts about having the lowest dues, one can be certain that the level of services and the value in membership will be compromised. Often, a club has to choose between privacy/exclusivity and opening up to the outside.
In most cases, the owner/operator of the club requires a financial return (profit) and if the club is struggling, budget cuts are often employed to stop the bleeding, which can precipitate that decline.
In age-restricted communities there is often a concern for security and opening the gates to the outside can be perceived as risky. There is sometimes the option of simply raising the HOA dues given that all residents (whether they’re golfers or not) benefit from a thriving club in the community.
The HOA/ POA currently subsidizes the golf operations and seems to have established a limit as to how much they’re willing to contribute. Among the choices HOA’s/POA’s encounter are: Key to understanding the best way to go is comprehending the club’s “culture”.