In recognition that many folks are on vacation this month and may not want to spend too much time online, the August Home On The Course newsletter -– subscribe for free by clicking here –- will feature short-form reviews of golf communities we have visited over the past half dozen years.  It was quite the challenge to reduce our typically pages-long reviews to Twitter length – 140 characters, spaces included, or less.

        The following is a taste of what you can expect in the August issue of Home On The Course, which will be ready by the end of the week. (Note:  If you would like a longer description of any of these fine golf communities, please contact us.)

 

Callawassie Plantation, Okatie, SC

Refined yet unpretentious, off beaten path yet 20 minutes from charming Beaufort.  27 holes of Fazio golf. Couple of properties <$1,000.

 

Dataw Island, SC

36 holes by Fazio and A. Hills (one of our faves). Well-established; out there in the marshland, but still just 25 minutes to Beaufort.

 

Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, SC

Walk to beach and two golf courses. Minutes from mega-shopping in Mt. Pleasant. Great seafood. Now if only #18 would stop falling into sea.

 

DeBordieu Colony, Georgetown, SC

Private golf, beach. Hear, smell ocean from P. Dye layout, but $3M homes command oceanfront. Short bike ride to beach from $500K+ homes.

 

The Reserve at Litchfield, Litchfield Beach, SC

Join private club – easy-walk Greg Norman layout -– and gain access to 7 other great clubs in Carolinas. Access to resort beach 1 mile away.

 

Spring Island, Okatie, SC

Old Tabby Links one of highest rated in SC. Live oak paradise minutes from Beaufort. Grandly appointed homes begin just under $1 million.

 

The Reserve at Lake Keowee, Sunset, SC

Beautiful lake, Nicklaus golf, big active clubhouse, all amenities, devoted members. Cottages in $400s a bargain. Wear orange; near Clemson.

 

Woodside Plantation, Aiken, SC

Multi-golf course (three layotus) community near charming inland town. Strong equestrian area. All the usual amenities keep residents busy.

 

Snee Farm, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Classic G. Cobb golf course in mature community, perfect for older-home lovers. World-class shopping, restaurants, services 5 minutes away.

 

DeBordieurailroadties

Pete Dye's unbiquitous railroad ties are on display at DeBordieu near Georgetown, SC.

        The Camarillo, CA, Spanish Hills Country Club advertises on its website that “The Lifestyle You Deserve Is Just Around The Corner.” No one deserves the lifestyle at the midpoint of the golf course’s 7th hole.

        It was there that one couple purchased a home and property that receives as much golf ball traffic as the 200 yard sign at a busy practice range. Despite having noted a hole in one of the home’s stucco roof tiles during an inspection of the house, and picking up 25 golf balls from the backyard during that same visit, the couple sued the sellers for fraud a year after they bought the home. The claim was that the sellers had not told them just how often the house was peppered with golf balls from the 7th tee.

        If the three to four golf balls a day –- that’s more than 1,000 annually –- were simply coming to rest in the backyard, the purchasers might have welcomed the extra income from all those Titleists and Top Flites. (It would have at least paid for the pith helmets.) But apparently the damage to stucco and windows was way more than the couple had anticipated. They lost the suit, by the way, but more to the point is the cautionary advice for you, dear reader: Golf course view homes come at a premium price, but some views may come at an extra price.

        Attorney Rob Harris’ entertaining and informative Golf Dispute Resolution website has a full accounting of the story. Click here for access.