But golf property is fast becoming a large and lucrative niche market.  Offering impressive levels of capital appreciation and exciting returns – for players and non-golfers alike. This growth reflects the booming popularity of the sport worldwide.  In the UK and Ireland, for example, golf is no longer the sole preserve of the gin and tonic set and there are now over 3,300 courses and millions of participants. And the Canary Islands offer perfect playing conditions all year – thanks to the clement climate and low rainfall.  With temperatures rarely falling below 21C.

Victorian Values

The game of golf was, in fact, originally introduced to the archipelago by British businessmen during the 19th Century  – who were busy exporting and shipping goods such as fresh fruit back to the UK, via Canary Wharf in London.

Par For The Course

Today, golf features prominently in marketing campaigns for the Canary Islands and the game is viewed positively by local tourist authorities (who are keen to wean the islands from the current over-dependence on bucket and spade tourism) as a means of attracting more up market visitors with greater levels of disposable income.

And with average green fees in the Canaries ranging from €60 to €200 per person for one round of golf there would appear to be some logic in this strategy.

As a result there are now seventeen golf courses across the seven islands – with plenty more at the planning stage or in the pipeline.  Industry experts believe that any destination requires at least three courses in order to really appeal to the keen golfer.  As these enthusiasts seek variety and don’t want to play the same course for an entire week.

And interestingly, it isn’t just golfers who are getting in on the game and taking advantage of the opportunities available.  As industry estimates suggest that around 75% of investors have no interest in playing golf at all.

So why are golf developments enjoying such an upswing in popularity?

Green Dreams

Whilst a little too manicured for some tastes, most golf developments offer acres of green space and beautifully landscaped scenery. Often they are situated amidst areas of outstanding natural beauty and incorporate elements such as lakes and ravines. Creating a very attractive overall living environment.

Many investors are drawn by the fact that these views will remain both well maintained and unspoiled.  As there is limited space to build around a golf course and a new apartment block cannot just be erected on, say, an existing green. 

The course and adjoining facilities must also be maintained to a high standard in order to ensure on-going popularity with visiting players.

So this provides a degree of security and permanence that cannot always be applied to other types of property development.

Fore The Facilities

Most golf developments offer a lot more than just a golf course alone. 

Essentially making most golf developments small, self-contained resorts in their own right. 

So there can be a very considerable difference between purchasing a golf property – with all the added extras and facilities that come with it and – a standard villa or apartment in a conventional holiday resort.

Another key consideration for golfers is that most of these properties come with other additional perks attached, such as free or reduced membership and green fees.  Which can represent a very considerable saving over the course of a year.

Rental Returns
But golf property really starts to score big when it comes to rental returns.  As a good quality villa, located right on the course, can command a premium way above that of a standard holiday villa built to much the same specification.

Many golf developments also offer their own holiday rental schemes – which means that owners can start to generate bookings with little or no expenditure in terms of time and effort.

Alternatively, for those who prefer to go it alone, there are also plenty of websites and holiday companies that specialize in marketing and promoting golf properties to work with.

Capital Appreciation

Ultimately, property investors seek a high level of capital appreciation over time. 

They want to see the price of their property rise.  And whilst golf properties usually cost more initially than standard holiday properties they can also appreciate at a higher percentage rate.

This reflects not just the excellent rental returns on offer but also the security of the investment as these properties are set amidst facilities that are normally managed and maintained to a much higher standard than, say, a standard holiday complex or residential community.

The growing popularity of golf as a leisure pastime also ensures a high level of demand.

For a selection of property in Lanzarote visit Lanzarote Guidebook.

Lanzarote Guidebook is published by Timafre Media, a travel marketing, publishing and services business, based in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, serving clients around the world.

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