Golf communities push to be more about lifestyle than golf

More golf communities across the country are looking to up their game, finding that to lure prospective homebuyers they may need to offer more than just golf.

“Golf is important, but it isn’t everything,” Lyle Anderson, chairman of the company that developed Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz., told The Wall Street Journal. “Private clubs are now more about lifestyle.”

These expansion efforts within golf communities come at a time when golf courses are increasingly closing across the country. More golf courses closed than opened in the U.S. in 2014, according to the National Golf Foundation.

Desert Mountain, not only features golf courses but also recently added a “ranch” area with horseback riding and luxury camping that includes full-size beds and gourmet-prepared meals. Another high-end golf club and community in La Quinta, Calif., PGA West, recently added pickle ball, outdoor fitness classes like “boot camp” and yoga, as well as family activities like flag football to increase its appeal.

More communities are looking to promote recreational activities for children, fitness options, and even five-star dining options to up their appeal.