The golf-course community has emerged as the neighborhood of choice in Florida. Featuring homes that brush against carpet- like greens, lakes and even the ocean, these communities offer some of the best playing experiences in the state. Think courses designed by Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer and, in some cases, the ability to play whenever the whim arises. But a membership will cost you — six figures, in some cases. "Initiation fees tend to be less expensive as you move from the southern to the northern part of the state," says Michael Seabrook, past president of the Club Managers Association of America's Florida chapter and the general manager at The Club at Mediterra in Naples (joining fee: $185,000).

Membership has its privileges: unlimited play, no tee times or greens fees, and even reduced cart fees. "My grandson pays $10 to play in the summer," says Judy Barnes, a golf member and the real-estate broker at Hammock Dunes in Palm Coast. "A lot of people own property here just so they can play golf." The club hosts the U.S. Open qualifier and is among just a few in the country offering both ocean and Intracoastal courses. Seaside croquet is also big here. Homes are priced from the upper $200,000s for a condo to $5.5 million for a view of the Atlantic or a private island. Equity member- ships, which provide members with a stake in the club's ownership, are $90,000, with 80 percent of the going rate refundable upon resale. Barnes' membership has more than doubled in 12 years. The community also offers a $7,750 sports membership with unlimited golf; however, greens fees still apply.

The initiation fee at Sailfish Point, a 520- home island community in Stuart between the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River and St. Lucie Inlet, is $115,000 and 80 percent refundable upon resale. And the residents- only club offers a newly renovated Jack Nicklaus signature course, a yacht club, marina and just 320 memberships. Condos and estates are priced from $550,000 to $23 million, and many homes have docks. The community also has a mile of private beach, and a wintertime shift in the Gulf Stream brings some serious sailfishing. "We have members who will hear the sailfish are running, jump on a plane and be fishing that day," says broker Richard Geisinger.

Some lucky residents simply have to walk out the door to catch a major tournament played right in their own backyard. The $90,000 membership at Treviso Bay in Naples entitles golfers to play any of the two-dozen Tournament Players Club courses in the country. Treviso Bay, which hosts the ACE Group Classic Champions Tour event, offers 350 memberships, and only 45 of its planned 1,200 homes overlook the course. "It was designed first for golf, then real estate," says general manager/ director of golf Bill Delayo.

Many clubs, which once insisted on cash upon joining, are now providing payment plans, some stretching 3 years or more. Others have temporarily reduced initiation fees or instituted special incentives. Many North & Central Florida golf communities offer memberships for a lot less. Orlando's Bay Hill Club & Lodge features an Arnold Palmer-designed course and $30,000 memberships. The joining fee at the Golden Bear Club in Keene's Pointe, which is also in Orlando, is $32,000, and homes sell from the high $400,000s to $5.9 million. Membership at Shark's Tooth Golf Club, within the Northwest Florida community of Wild Heron, is $40,000 for play on a Greg Norman-designed course.

Initiation fees generally max out in the Palm Beach/Boca Raton area. Farther north is Orchid Island's Arnold Palmer-designed course, one of just a handful of barrier-island courses in Florida. The Vero Beach community has oceanfront condos priced from $1.5 million to $3 million and homes up to $15 million. Equity golf memberships are $165,000 and limited to 325.

For more golf info, check out these Great Florida Golf Courses and Clubs.