People’s passion for golf manifests itself in many ways. Some enjoy the game so much, they want to make it a prominent part of their retirement surroundings. This work functions as both an informative source for golfing aficionados who are looking for a place to retire, and as a helpful guide for non-golfers in the family. Here, details on golf communities in six southeastern states are presented: North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Organized by state, each chapter begins with information on state and city populations; sales, income and social security taxes; and a geographical description. Each state is divided into geographical areas that offer attractive retirement and golfing opportunities. For each city listed, a general introduction (including data from the 2000 Census) is provided. Information on the golf courses, a variety of real estate options, nearby dependable health care services, convenient and varied shopping, favorable year-round climate, continuing education opportunities, nearby recreation, attractions, and dining, and regional artistic and cultural amenities is offered. Lists of both a state’s nationally ranked and overall best golf courses, as determined by Golf Digest, are also included at the end of each chapter.

Over the last decade and a half, Larry Gavrich has worked with hundreds of couples and individuals searching for their dream homes in golf-centric areas. Most of them opted to buy a home or property inside the gates of a golf community, guaranteeing themselves not only access to a golf course (or two) within walking or golf-cart distance from their houses, but also putting them close to a wide range of other amenities, such as fitness centers, walking trails and swimming pools. A few chose to live in more traditional neighborhoods but a short drive to excellent golf. If you are retired, or near retirement, and have dreamed about a move to a warm climate with plenty of outdoor activities, including golf, what are you waiting for? Glorious Back Nine: How to Find Your Dream Golf Home details a step-by-step approach that starts with a kitchen-table discussion about retirement goals and ends at the front door of your dream home on the course. In between you will learn about how climate and geography affect your ultimate choice; lifestyle options; how to select a qualified real estate buyer's agent; the various types of country club memberships; cost-of-living variables; homeowner association costs; how to plan your inspection visits and the right questions to ask during those visits; and much more. Glorious Back Nine is the only guide of its kind published in the last decade. It will answer many of your questions and, just as important, will arm you with the right ones to ask. The purchase of any home is a huge investment, possibly the biggest of your life, and you want to make sure you have all the information you need before taking the leap. Your retirement is the payoff for a successful career and family life. You should be armed with all the information you need to find your Glorious Back Nine. You will be if you read this book.