Owning a property along a golf course can be a dream for many, and there are several places around the world where this is possible, not least the UAE which boasts stunning courses and a glut of villas lining the fairways.

Apart from the many benefits, there are a handful of potential issues that potential buyers should be aware of. If you are not a golfer and don’t want people buzzing past on buggies shouting to their playing partner the other side of the fairway: “I can’t find my ball — maybe it’s in this garden” or the odd round missile crashing into your pool, garden furniture or worse.

In a landscape as dry as the UAE’s, these annoyances can be quickly forgiven as you look out over a lush affair of grass and trees; even for non-golfers the oasis-like experience is probably worthwhile. This though will usually come at a price above market levels. So if you are looking to buy as an investment, you have to be careful what your buying is the right thing.

Thousands of new villas are planned to be built around new golf course in the UAE and hundreds have been delayed due to the financial downturn, so analysts are urging caution when considering investment.

However, Jumeirah Golf Estates is an excellent example of a golf community that has really come together over the past couple of years. Prices are now rising significantly, ranging from around the Dh6.5 million and go considerably north from there.

A question you have to ask yourself is whether the gains that we are seeing in the local market are sustainable — we at IP Global would argue not. I would consider an investment here to be a higher risk move and should only be contemplated if this is to be a home or if you have enough cash to potentially risk losing some if not all of it. Golf course development has become too popular in the UAE, leaving the market oversupplied and begging the question whether these schemes will actually be completed as planned.

However, if you’re certain you want to invest in a golf property, a general rule of thumb is be wary of golf estates with a too high villa density, as they tend to be a problematic long-term investment. It is advisable to target resorts close to international airports as spending time on the breezy fairway is preferable to being in a hot car on the motorway.

Never assume you will get complimentary golf as a resident as you more often than not won’t. Do consider the other facilities, such as driving ranges and clinics and the surrounding infrastructure of shops and restaurants.

A popular destination in the UK are the properties along the Coombe Hill golf course in London and is a prime example of somewhere that has all the benefits of a mature market — i.e., extremely low supply, very high demand and a track record and history of sustainable growth and limited losses in times of crises. For those who want a seat in one of the most robust property markets in Scotland are the remaining units at the iconic Hamilton Grand. It is a collection of 26 private residences with a butler and golf concierge overlooking the 18th hole on the St. Andrew’s Old Course.

Finally, leaving the question of return on investment (RoI) aside, the most important thing to assess ahead of a purchase are the new neighbours, as you will end up spending a lot of time with them at the clubhouse and on the fairways.

— The writer is director and head of IP Global Middle East.