Golf has long been a favorite retirement activity. With the number of retirees seeking golf communities, coupled with the increase in the number of years spent in retirement due to earlier retirement, better health and longer lives, the demand for retirement golf communities continues to grow.

In response to this demand, Arizona retirement golf communities and Florida golf communities continue to be developed.

In considering golf communities, one of the first choices is where to live, namely in a home backing onto the course or a home away from the course. Homes on the course have the scenic attraction which makes a wonderful view and ambiance for entertaining in a backyard or just enjoying a peaceful sunset.

On the other hand, as most golf course homes tend to have small backyards, privacy in the daytime may be somewhat limited. For many, the constant flow of watching golfers play through during the day offers a sense of community, and affords an opportunity to meet or at least wave to friendly faces (at least so long as these friendly faces are able to keep their shots in bounds). Thus the perceived "lack of privacy" is actually a benefit.

And, of course, for the serious golfer, nothing beats walking out the back door directly onto the course.

Homes not on the golf course have exactly the opposite features - more privacy, views that may or may not be as good (depending in part on lot size and proximity to neighbors), and a short walk (or golf cart ride) to the clubhouse.

For those unsure about what which choice is the best for them, the best course of action is to talk to the local retirement community director and, if possible, homeowners in the community. Find out what time course play begins, and also consider what hole your home might be near. For those near the 18th hole, golfers won't be by until much later in the morning (of course this won't be a consideration if you plan on being on the course most days at this time).

Also, take into consideration whether golf is played all year. For retirement golf communities in the Midwest, there may be at least a few months of the year in which golf is either not being played, or the number of golfers is less than peak times.