...to enjoy its GCA?
And which turkeys would you avoid at all costs?
Ranking from Travel + Leisure Golf, by David Rynecki
1 Santa Lucia Preserve Carmel, California
With an entrance gate only three miles from the sophisticated bustle of Carmel and Pebble Beach, the Santa Lucia Preserve seems like a miracle. Of its 20,000 pristine acres, 18,000 will be forever preserved as a conservancy for the community's 296 families. Tom Fazio's mesmerizing course nestles almost invisibly into the landscape. Community central is an eighty-year-old Spanish hacienda with world-class dining, nine guest rooms and a nearby sports complex. The Preserve's equestrian center is a world unto itself.
2 The Bear's Club Jupiter, Florida
Behind the forged-steel entrance gates, every aspect of development was supervised by a Nicklaus. The Golden Bear oversaw the course and housing concepts, while wife Barbara did the clubhouse interior. The Bear's Club will top out at only ninety-six residences at prices typically north of $6 million. An on-site concierge caters to residents' whims and an acclaimed chef runs the dining room.
3 Isleworth Orlando, Florida
To outsiders, Isleworth is best known for being Tiger's lair. But to insiders it's the little things that count: family Thanksgiving turkeys cooked by Isleworth's master chef. The 'tween dances for kids. The $25 million Sotheby's sculpture exhibition adorning the recently revamped course. The 7,000-square-foot men's lounge with golf simulator, putting green, gaming tables and basketball court.
4 Kiawah Island South Carolina
Best known for its resort with five courses (the Ocean hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup), the island is mostly residential. Picture shingled mansions and Charlestonian elegance framed by the Atlantic on one side, a majestic river on the other and marshland in between. Residents have two private courses, three clubhouses, two restaurants under chef Tom Colicchio, a spa and soon a new sports center.
5 Mayacama Santa Rosa, California
Nestled into the fabled Sonoma Valley, Mayacama boasts twenty-nine "vintner members" from surrounding wineries. Members have access to special wine allocations. The lyrical Jack Nicklaus course, traipsing through the hilly 675-acre property, has a top-flight caddie program and is walking only.
6 Wade Hampton Cashiers, North Carolina
Tucked into a perfect Appalachian valley between Asheville and Charlotte, Wade Hampton is a cool summer retreat for Southerners and a cultural retreat for others. The community, limited to 280 homesites, is understated but traditional; men must wear slacks on the golf course and jackets at dinner. The Tom Fazio course is one of the best mountain layouts in the world.
7 Estancia Scottsdale, Arizona
Estancia is justly famous for Tom Fazio's magnificent course, which wraps around Scottsdale's landmark Pinnacle Peak and offers spectacular views of the high Sonoran Desert. Equally splendid, however, are the 32,000-square-foot clubhouse, the fitness center, the Tuscan-style houses in low density (only 267 homesites on 640 acres) and the community's exclusive cachet.
8 Sea Island Georgia
Some families have been returning to this Old South enclave for five generations, but ongoing improvements have propelled Sea Island to a whole new level. In addition to fine dining, a new spa to open this summer and the grand old Beach Club, residents enjoy three courses—including Tom Fazio's ethereal redesign of Seaside—excellent golf instruction and arguably the world's most beautiful practice facility.
9 The Cliffs Communities Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Four separate communities, perched in the exquisite Appalachian landscape on both sides of the South Carolina-North Carolina border, are united with a common membership. The Keowee, Walnut Cove, Valley and Glassy communities all have great golf, great food and outstanding amenities, such as marinas, stables and extensive spa and fitness services.
10 Promontory: The Ranch Club Park City, Utah
In summer, an equestrian center, a fly-fishing outfitter's cabin and fifty miles of hiking trails augment the aesthetically over-the-top Pete Dye course, with a Nicklaus course to open this spring. In winter, residents have their own staffed ski lodge at nearby Upper Deer Valley and some of the world's best snow. Year-round: a huge spa and multiple clubhouses, including one of 5,000 square feet just for kids. Located thirty miles from Salt Lake City.
11 Palmetto Bluff Bluffton, South Carolina
The community's architecture pays tribute to Low Country plantations, but with 20,000 acres of marshland and shore, Palmetto Bluff is also for nature lovers. Boating, fishing and a sumptuous spa supplement the Nicklaus course.
12 The Vintage Club Indian Wells, California
The unmarked entrance gates are understated, but inside, the homes are spectacular and every blade of grass seems to be personally attended to. This resort-style oasis has lakes, waterfalls and thirty-six Tom Fazio holes.
13 Kuki'o Golf& Ocean Club Kona, Hawaii
Picture paradise: blue ocean, white sand, lava fields, cottages near the beach and in the hills. This is Kuki'o. You'll never need a tee time on the Tom Fazio course, and the rest stations are stocked with gourmet treats.
14 Iron Horse Whitefish, Montana
Located between a pristine lake and the Big Mountain ski resort, Iron Horse is a favored escape for tycoons. An on-site comprehensive concierge arranges white-water rafting and dinner in artsy Whitefish. The golf is by Tom Fazio.
15 Lake Nona Orlando, Florida
Sure it plays second fiddle to Tiger's nearby Isleworth, but Lake Nona has its own cast of Tour stars, a great Fazio course, a spa, a wine cellar and excellent fishing and boating.
16 Colleton River Plantation Bluffton, South Carolina
Augusta National meets the Low Country. In addition to eighteen holes by Nicklaus and eighteen by Dye, there's an Augusta-like par-three course. Some of the homes, with acres of marshland as backdrop, have deepwater access.
17 Pronghorn Bend, Oregon
The weather is great on the eastern slope of the Cascades, and so are the courses by Fazio and Nicklaus. If the extensive amenities (some still being built) and fabulous views aren't enough, nearby Bend offers art, charm and boutiques.
18 The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe Rancho Santa Fe, California
North of San Diego, this wealthy enclave has rolling hills and canyons, a Tuscan-style clubhouse, a sports center and a spa. The golf, by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is as good as the climate.
19 Silverleaf Scottsdale, Arizona
Antique beams and tiles for the clubhouse were imported from Europe, choice parcels of land were preserved for parks and the New Urbanism design promotes street life. Tom Weiskopf crafted the challenging desert course.
20 The Greenbrier Sporting Club White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Residents have a private Fazio course plus access to all three of the courses at Sam Snead's old place, the Greenbrier Resort. A spa, members' lodge, abundant fly-fishing streams and an equestrian center complete the picture.
21 BigHorn Palm Desert, California
Begin with access to private jet service. Add a spa, a salon, five dining venues, Hollywood celebrities and astronomical property values. Then check out the opulent courses by Arthur Hills and Tom Fazio.
22 Mirasol Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
The grand clubhouse, evoking 1920s Florida, overlooks two courses—one by Fazio, one by Arthur Hills. The 2,300-acre community's sporting center includes clay-court tennis.
23 John's Island Club Vero Beach, Florida
Turning into John's Island from Vero Beach is like falling down Alice's rabbit hole: a grand clubhouse, homes that make jaws drop, a superb resident chef and, to top it off, three courses—one by Fazio and two by Dye.
24 Southern Highlands Las Vegas
The last course that Robert Trent Jones Sr. helped design is a hilly masterpiece. With a great grillroom, phenomenal spa and family-friendly orientation, the community is, surprisingly, only ten minutes from the Las Vegas strip.
25 Mirabel Scottsdale, Arizona
Mirabel's uniqueness goes beyond the Frank Lloyd Wright-style clubhouse and the walkable Fazio eighteen with a caddie program. Services include an on-course chef cooking snacks, and chilled lavender towels by the eighteenth green.