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. 

In typical Victorian fashion these gentlemen were keen to pursue leisure as well as business interests – wherever in the world they were posted -  and as a result they created the first ever course on the islands, The Royal Golf Club of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in 1871.

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.

This expansion in the number of courses has in turn fuelled the number of golf properties available to investors – as good quality villas and apartments usually form an integral part of these developments.

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.

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.

Depending on the location and time of year this differential can be as high as 35%-40%.  Which basically means that overseas property buyers can generate a much greater return on their investment.

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.