Residential dwellings built around a golf course are the latest buzzword in the super-premium housing segment of the Indian realty industry, estimated at $15 billion and growing at 35 per cent annually. The golf cities make an attractive preposition for NRIs and HNIs who together constitute 50 per cent of buyers in the premium housing segment. These high end customers are ready to pay big bucks for a sprawling home amidst the greens with a promise of high class lifestyle. So from the top brass of the corporate world to those who aspire to arrive in life, everyone finds residences built around the golf course an ideal abode. Golf home projects are exclusive projects. Slight slumps in the market that generally slow down the middle housing segments usually do not affect these projects, as the buyer is exclusive and very selective about the property. And the trend is fast spreading from metros to emerging cities. Earlier golf was restricted to a select group, but it has grown popular over the years with many middle level executives and business class taking active interest in the game. No wonder big players like Unitech, DLF, Ansal API, Omaxe and Jaypee have already taken the plunge with an array of golf-centric projects.“Golf is not just a game but it’s a symbol of urban upper class lifestyle.”