London, England: A global increase in demand for green spaces, wellness and the opportunity to work from home is driving new interest in golf properties in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Buyers, many of whom are leaving cities, are attracted to golf resorts for their nature, fresh air and five-star services.

These are the findings of a new international audit by European Tour Destinations, a network of 30 golf venues, highlighting shifts in consumer behaviour and emerging trends, and published in a new multi-media feature: New Era for Golf Real Estate.

Highlights of the audit revealed:

• At Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Kingdom property buyers now account for 40% of real estate sales, up 10% year-on-year.
• The number of domestic buyers at Quinta do Lago in Portugal has nearly doubled from 11% to 20%.
• PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain is opening a new Wellness Centre this spring, one of four resorts (also Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, Bulgaria and Quinta do Lago, Portugal) investing over €25 million (combined) in new wellness amenities.

European Tour Destinations Real Estate Consultant Sandra Ruttle, who conducted the audit, said: “It’s long been the case that non-golfers make up the majority of residents in golf communities, typically 66%. But new buyers are now realising that residential golf communities offer much more than golf.

“In the case of European Tour Destinations, these are resorts with world class amenities and services, communities with shops, restaurants and spa facilities. They are safe, secure, peaceful places to live – and they are proving highly attractive places to live and invest in.”

Ruttle highlighted how golf property buyers are increasingly from local and domestic markets, often quitting city homes and making their purchase a permanent home, rather than an investment.

The New Era for Golf Real Estate feature also highlights in-depth case studies from PGA Catalunya Resort, Terre Blanche, France and Pirin Golf & Country Club, Bulgaria.