Spain and Portugal are two of the most popular places to own a home next to a fairway. We look at the benefits of buying in a golf development or larger golf community, pinpoint the hot spots and pick some eye-catching properties for you…

These days even non-golfers get excited by the prospect of having a home in a golf resort somewhere sunny, thanks to the facilities and lifestyle on offer, not to mention the quality of the properties. Whether or not you enjoy a round or two, here are some key reasons to consider investing in a Spanish or Portuguese golf home in 2018.

– Stylish property. Many of the newer developments in Spain and Portugal are located within golf resorts and as such are built with the most up-to-date materials and with modern styling. This helps them to retain their value. Premium resorts will have pristine communal areas and gardens, which help to maintain the desirability of the homes there.

– Facilities. Typical golf resorts offer far more in terms of leisure activities and entertainment than 18 holes and other golf-related facilities. At the very least, expect a golf clubhouse and bar, a communal pool or two, a play area for children and a gym. Larger, more upmarket resorts might also have tennis courts, a sports pitch, health and beauty spa, a concierge service, kids clubs, small shops and, depending on the area, horse-riding and nature trails. Many have on-site hotels, with extra facilities.

– Club membership. In many golf communities, buying a new property will come with an entitlement to join the golf club or some free rounds of golf. You’ll also have easy access to the club’s pro and organising a lesson or two should be simple.

– Strong rentals. Properties in a quality golf resort, in particular those ones that are close to other popular courses, should let easily – most golfing parties like to play a selection of courses during their trip. And because golfers prefer to play when it’s not too hot, your rental season includes the winter, spring and autumn months, giving you high occupancy levels.

– Lively social scene. Golf resorts have a natural social hub; the clubhouse, with its bar and restaurant(s). This makes is easy to meet other homeowners, who are likely to include a range of nationalities, helping to create a sense of community. Often you’ll find other non-golf-related clubs organised by other expats that might interest you.

– Security. Golf homes tend to be in gated communities with 24-hour security and a reception. This makes them ideal lock-up-and-leave properties for second homeowners who like to know their place is secure when they’re not there.

Where in Spain?
Spain’s Costa del Sol is famous for its huge choice of golf courses and resorts, including the exclusive communities of Sierra Blanca and La Zagaleta. The Nueva Andalucía area is a favourite with UK homeowners and has been dubbed ‘Golf Valley’ on account of the Las Brisas, Aloha and Naranjos courses all being within five minutes of each other there. Meanwhile, further east Elviria, Los Monteros and Mijas Costa are also popular places to own a golf home. Only this year, TV personality and actress Denise van Outen, herself a big fan of golf, purchased a two-bedroom apartment in Mijas Costa.

A golf hot spot in Spain’s southern Costa Blanca is Orihuela Costa, home to four courses/resorts all within 10-15 minutes of each other. They are Campoamor, Las Ramblas, Villamartín and Las Colinas. The first three are integrated into the residential areas of Orihuela. Las Colinas is a low-rise boutique resort covering 330 hectares of countryside in Campoamor. Another alternative option in a rural setting north of Torrevieja  is La Finca resort, near Algorfa.

The Murcia region also has carved a name as a golf hub – it’s where the Polaris World resorts are located, as well as the large golf urbanisation of Camposol, with properties from under €100,000. At the other end of the scale is the world famous La Manga Club.

Where in Portugal?
Matching Spain’s Costa del Sol as an international golfing destination is the sunny Algarve, where you are rarely more than a 10-minutes’ drive from one of the region’s 40-plus courses. For the largest choice of championship golf courses, arguably in Europe, look no further than the ‘Golden Triangle’. This is home to the upmarket resorts of Vale do Lobo, with two courses, Quinta do Lago, with three courses, and Vilamoura, Europe’s largest single residential tourist community, with five courses. Still in the central Algarve, more affordable options can be found around Salgados Golf and Oceanico’s Amendoeira Golf Resort near the family beach resort of Albufeira.

In the western Algarve, try the Carvoeiro area, which includes the large Pestana Golf Resort, with the Vale da Pinta and Gramacho golf courses. The Eastern Algarve is less developed but still home to one of Portugal’s finest golf resorts, namely Monte Rei Golf and Country Club near Vila Nova de Cacela. The east’s other upmarket resort is Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club.