Florida is one of the most popular destinations for retirees. With its warm climate, tax-friendly environment, and wide range of affordable housing options, it’s a top choice for retirees looking to purchase a home. For active adults who love golf, Florida offers even more: It’s the golf capital of the nation, boasting more courses than any other state.
The state’s year-round pleasant weather means there’s never an off season for golf. Many retirees choose to live in golf course communities to enjoy the convenience of immediate access to their favorite pastime. These communities often offer a club-like atmosphere, with high-quality amenities and ample opportunities for recreation and socializing. Additionally, cart-friendly communities with driving paths make getting around easy and accessible.
While some golf communities carry a reputation for high fees and country club pricing, many 55+ communities across Florida offer golf access without the premium price tag. Let’s take a look at the best affordable golf course communities in Florida that allow retirees to enjoy the benefits of a golf lifestyle on a budget.
Timber Creek Condominiums – Bradenton, FL
Below $100k – High $200ks
This intimate community in Bradenton consists of 100 condominium homes for active adults looking to downsize. The condos range from 915 to 1,617 square feet, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an assigned parking space. Vaulted ceilings and skylights provide spacious feeling interiors, and some units also include enclosed lanais.
In addition to the nine-hole golf course, residents have access to a community clubhouse with a fitness center, a sauna, a billiards room, and a pro shop. Additionally, the community features tennis and shuffleboard courts as well as an outdoor swimming pool.
One of the major benefits of a condominium home is that they are relatively low maintenance. This gives residents more free time to enjoy community activities such as bunko club, holiday parties, golf clubs, poker club, poolside happy hour events, barbecues, and yoga club.
Seven Lakes – Fort Myers, FL
Below $100k – Low $300ks
Situated south of Fort Myers, this scenic community consists of just over 1,000 attached and condominium homes. Homebuyers can choose from 41 floor plans, ranging from 700 to 1,600 square feet. These floor plans offer one to three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms. Also, the attached villas include a one-car garage, and the condo homes are in low-rise buildings with elevator access and private storage units.
The 18-hole executive golf course is also joined by putting and chipping greens to help keep your game sharp. Other amenities include tennis, shuffleboard, and bocce ball courts, as well as six heated pools located throughout the community. Additionally, the community clubhouse features a fitness center, an auditorium, a library, a travel agency, a pro shop, a restaurant, game rooms, and several craft and hobby workshops.
Thanks to a full-time activity director, there’s always a variety of activities, clubs, and events. There are several types of group exercise and fitness classes, as well as sports clubs for organized play with neighbors. The auditorium hosts regular dances, parties, and other entertainment, and the community even has its own private bus service for community excursions.
Pennbrooke Fairways – Leesburg, FL
Mid $100ks – Mid $300ks
Located just outside Leesburg in Central Florida, this gated community comprises 1,200 single-family, attached, and manufactured homes. Although Pennbrooke Fairways was initially founded as a manufactured home community, it was expanded to include a variety of cottage homes and villas. The floor plans range from roughly 500 to 2,000 square feet with one to three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms.
This community features three nine-hole golf courses with practice facilities and a pro shop, providing challenges for any skill level. Other outdoor amenities include a heated pool and spa, and courts for tennis, bocce, pickleball, shuffleboard, and basketball. Additionally, two community recreation centers offer an auditorium, craft and hobby studios, billiard rooms, and an onsite restaurant. There is also a post office and salon within the community.
Cross Creek Country Club – Fort Myers, FL
Mid $100ks – Low $300ks
Cross Creek Country Club in Fort Myers consists of 18 subdivisions, with 905 single-family, attached, and condominium homes. Although a majority of the community is not age restricted, there are 55+ subdivisions for active adults. Across the different types of homes, there are 31 floor plans, which range from 863 to 1,769 square feet, each with two bedrooms, and one to two-and-a-half bathrooms. Condo homes come with a covered parking spot, while the attached villas and single-family homes have attached one- or two-car garages. Also, many home models include dens and lanais.
The community golf course is semi-private (with reserved tee times for club members) and complemented with practice facilities and a pro shop. Additionally, residents have access to tennis courts and 10 heated pools among the subdivisions. The central hub for activity is a spacious community clubhouse, which contains a library, a ballroom, a restaurant and lounge, and other game rooms and multipurpose spaces.
An active social calendar completes the country club lifestyle. The community hosts a variety of clubs and activities, such as organized games, parties, happy hours, and more. Some of the more unique offerings include a theater group for aspiring actors, and regional clubs for Ohioans and Canadians.
Cormorant Point – Sebring, FL
Low $200ks
Cormorant Point, located in the city of Sebring, is a subdivision within the larger Golf Hammock master-planned community. The neighborhood consists of 150 attached and single-family homes. These spacious, affordable homes range from 1,193 to 2,779 square feet, with two bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half bathrooms, and an attached garage. Depending on the floor plan, some homes may also include dens, screened lanais, walk-in closets, and cathedral ceilings.
The community doesn’t have exclusive amenities, but residents can purchase a membership to the Golf Hammock Country Club, providing access to its 18-hole championship golf course and practice facilities, as well as an outdoor pool and tennis courts. The Golf Hammock community clubhouse also features multipurpose space for social activities, a pro shop, and a full-service bar and grill. Additionally, the Golf Hammock homeowners’ association (HOA) provides lawn care service and organizes weekly activities such as mahjong and book club.
Brentwood of Citrus Hills – Lecanto, FL
Low $200ks – High $300ks
This cozy, all-ages community near the Gulf Coast is part of the Village of Citrus Hills master-planned community and consists of 176 single-family and attached homes. Most homes in the community range from 1,316 to 2,060 square feet, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Floor plans also include a den, which can be repurposed as an additional bedroom, and some homes may include screened lanais.
Within the gated neighborhood, homeowners have access to exclusive amenities including a nine-hole golf course, heated outdoor pool and spa, and a clubhouse with a fitness center. Residents of Brentwood can also access amenities within the larger Village of Citrus Hills community: three additional 18-hole championship golf courses; courts for pickleball, bocce, and tennis; and another outdoor pool. Additionally, the community clubhouse includes three fitness centers, an indoor pool, a library, a movie theater, a restaurant, pro shops and more.
Access to the Village of Citrus Hills amenities also provides opportunities for country-club-style living. The community hosts a variety of social clubs, and activities such as fitness classes, farmers markets, art festivals, and live music.
Summertree – New Port Richey, FL
Low $200ks – High $300ks
Situated in a Gulf Coast city less than an hour from Tampa, Summertree is a gated 55+ community with a collection of 800 single-family and attached homes. Summertree is a mature development, with a long legacy of homes built over several decades. Floor plans range from approximately 800 to 2,000 square feet, with up to four bedrooms, up to two-and-a-half bathrooms, and most homes have an attached two-car garage.
Summertree Golf Club has a public 9-hole course complete with a driving range and pro shop. The amenities continue with two heated pools, horseshoe pits, and courts for tennis, bocce, and shuffleboard. A community recreation center also offers up a fitness center, a sauna, craft rooms, game rooms, a library, a ballroom, and more. Additionally, community-organized events, clubs, and games keep residents busy as they enjoy the affordable country-club lifestyle.
Cypress Lakes – Lakeland, FL
Mid $100ks – Mid $200ks
Located about Midway between Tampa and Orlando, just outside the city of Lakeland, Cypress Lakes is a lively gated community of 1,604 single-family homes. With 24 floor plans to choose from, homebuyers have plenty of affordable options to fit their budget and lifestyle needs. Homes range from 1,008 to 1,920 square feet, with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and either an attached carport or detached garage. Layouts might also include a porch, patio, or a den that can be repurposed as an extra bedroom.
The Big Cypress Golf Club provides members with two 18-hole championship golf courses, as well as a pro shop and driving range. Residents also have access to a resort-style pool, a lap pool, horsehoe pits, and courts for tennis, pickleball, bocce, shuffleboard. Additionally, a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse offers a fitness center, a library, a theater, an aerobics studio, and so much more.
An onsite activity director ensures that residents of Cypress Lakes never run out of things to do. In addition to regular entertainment and events, there are over 100 clubs that cover a wide range of games, sports, social activities, and hobbies. Also, residents are encouraged to start new clubs if they desire.
Tee Up Your Ideal Florida Lifestyle
If you’re an avid golfer seeking an active lifestyle with first-class amenities without overspending, these affordable golf course communities in Florida are truly a hole in one.
And if none of these options feel like the perfect match, don’t worry! There are plenty more to explore. Browse our full selection of 55+ community listings or contact 55places.com today to connect with a local real estate expert who can help you find your ideal Florida community.
- Insights and market stats
- Instant new home alerts
- Answers from local 55+ experts
