What is a Florida Bundled Golf Community?

A Florida bundled golf community is a development where the golf membership is bundled or deeded to the property and your membership dues are combined with your annual community fees. There is no upfront initiation fee in a bundled golf community.

One of the advantages of this type of community is if you purchase a property which includes a golf membership, you have immediate golf privileges.

Do All Homes in a Bundled Golf Community Include a Golf Membership?

It depends on the community. There are several golf communities where every home includes a golf membership. However, it is important to note some bundled golf communities have a mix of properties with a golf membership and some properties which only include a social membership.

If I Purchase a Home with a Social membership, Can I Upgrade to a Golf Membership?

If you buy a home which only has a social membership, since the membership is deeded to the property you would not be able to upgrade to a golf membership. You would have to purchase a home with a golf membership attached to the property. If a golf membership is important to you, we highly recommend working with an experienced golf community agent if you are buying a golf home.

Is a Bundled Golf Community Right for You?

There are advantages and disadvantages to a bundled golf membership. One of the key factors to help you decide if a bundled golf community is right for you depends on how often you want to play.

Bundled golf communities are typically larger developments which are higher density than a non-bundled or equity golf community. As a result, you have more people competing for tee times. If you plan to play a couple of times a week, a bundled golf community is a good option. If you plan to play several times per week, you may want to consider a different type of golf community.

Another important question is how important is having immediate golf privileges? If it is a must, a home with a bundled golf membership is your best option.  Most equity clubs or clubs with a one-time upfront initiation fee have a waiting list and it could be several years before you would be eligible to join the club as a golf member.

Are There Other Types of Golf Communities?

The other type of golf community is where the club requires an upfront golf membership initiation fee as well as annual membership dues. In most cases you will also have annual community fees up and above your golf membership dues.

In the past, most of the clubs collecting an upfront initiation fee dedicated a portion to equity which you would get back when you dropped your membership. These types of clubs are commonly referred to as “equity golf communities” or “equity golf clubs”. There are very few clubs still offering equity memberships. They now require a non-refundable upfront initiation fee. Additionally, most of these clubs have multi-year waitlists.

How Do I Determine Which Golf Community is Right for Me?

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of membership and community. With more than 150 golf communities in the area it is a challenge to navigate all the various options for golf membership. That is where we come in. Our vast relationships with all the golf communities from Naples to Sarasota allow us to serve our clients by making the home-buying or selling process an easy and enjoyable one.

While it may seem overwhelming at first, once we know how often you play, other desired club amenities, property type and a price range we can help you narrow the list of clubs down to a handful that will potentially offer you the Florida golf lifestyle you are looking for.

August 9th, 2022 Posted by NaplesGolfGuy