Ruidoso Cabins

Vacation homes and investment properties consisted of 33-percent of homes sold to the U.S. in 2007, and many of these communities, golf included. There is something giving your window and enjoying a view of the back nine. Not to mention that more courses these days are being developed with minimal impact on the environment - which means broader perspective, wildlife and natural beauty to your door. Of course, the advantage being the bottom line, the Greens are there, ready and waiting just outside your door.

There are golf communities in every locale imaginable, from the properties of tropical oceans destinations world-class skiing. Prices range from 200,000 middle of the luxury real estate in several million dollars. Sometimes people overlook the golf market in the Western Community, opting for tropical island locations or properties in Florida. Many of these areas have a year-round warm climate and dry, ideal for experiencing the course. The mechanical properties have not only exceptional golf in the warmer months, but the rental potential is increased during the winter months.

Here are some of the "do not miss the golf communities" on the Western market.

Cornerstone Colorado

Cornerstone received my award for "Most Unique Community of golf." Located on 6,000 acres southwest of Colorado, Cornerstone offers meadows and mountain views breathtaking. Greg Norman has taken a non-invasive approach to the environment when he designed this course that takes advantage of the natural landscape and its unique characteristics. The course is open to all ages and abilities, each hole has a minimum of five tees, ranging from "Teebox Tyke's" 50 yards to challenge Shark Tees, 8,000 yards.

Homes here (or should I say, "the homestead"), ranging from village houses on quarter acre lots and homes on luxury real estate plots of several acres on the border on authentic ranches up to 100 acres . Guests can tee off in the morning and arrived just in time for the afternoon of a cattle drive.

Glacier Club

Aptly named, The Glacier Club is located at an altitude of 8,000 feet and seems to have dug its way through the surrounding landscape, which includes three million acres of national forest, and mountain peaks rise some 6,000 feet higher up. This natural wonder is actually a private golf community residential and located near Durango, Colorado.

The 27-hole challenge course in the Glacier Club have a number of elevation changes as they take you lakes, streams, aspen groves, meadows and resident wildlife.

Houses in the Club glaciers are interspersed between the various greens and fairways and return on National Forest. The terrain ranges from more than a half acre to over two and a half acres. In addition to luxury custom homes, are a selection of chalets and town homes, designed in a rustic style with massive wooden columns and stone facings.

The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe

The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe is a 540-acre exclusive golf community at the base near San Diego. Reminiscent of the Mediterranean landscape, houses have been designed with a Tuscan-style architectural theme that includes stone exterior, large open fireplaces, beamed ceilings and private garden of course.

The course was the site of "The Battle of the Bridges", including the famous 2005 game where Tiger Woods and John Daly struggled against Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen. The Bridges is a par 71 with five sets of departure, most being 7,000 yards. Much of the existing land has been used in landscaping and has led to a remarkable effect with natural lakes, streams, hills and deep canyons that allow for breathtaking views for owners and golfers alike.

The Bridge Club consists of a gathering place with 3000 squares of luxury with a panoramic view di.