What Is the Difference Between The Landings Association and The Landings Golf & Athletic Club?

Buyers considering a home in The Landings on Skidaway Island often hear several similar names during their search: The Landings Association, The Landings Golf & Athletic Club and The Landings Real Estate Company.

Although these organizations are connected to the same community, they do not serve the same purpose.

The most important distinction for a prospective homeowner is this:

The Landings Association governs and maintains the residential community. The Landings Golf & Athletic Club provides private recreational, dining, golf, fitness and social amenities through separate club membership.

Understanding that difference can help buyers evaluate the true obligations, costs and lifestyle opportunities associated with purchasing a home in The Landings.

What Is The Landings Association?

The Landings Association, often referred to as TLA, is the property owners association for The Landings.

Every property owner becomes part of the Association and agrees to follow the community’s governing documents, covenants, rules and architectural guidelines.

The Association is responsible for many of the functions connected to operating and maintaining the residential community, including common property, private streets, gates, bridges, lagoons, architectural review and covenant enforcement. It also oversees certain community amenities and services available to property owners.

In practical terms, The Landings Association is similar to a homeowners association, although the size and complexity of The Landings make its responsibilities more extensive than those of many typical neighborhood associations.

What Does The Landings Association Manage?

The Association’s responsibilities may include areas such as:

• Private roads and common property

• Community gates and access procedures

• Lagoons, bridges and drainage-related infrastructure

• Architectural review

• Exterior modification approval

• Community rules and covenant enforcement

• Certain recreational and common-area facilities

• Golf-cart registration and operating rules

• Marina facilities and boat-storage programs

• Property-maintenance standards

The exact rules and procedures may change, so buyers should review the current governing documents rather than rely on information from an older listing, neighbor or online discussion.

Purchasing a property means accepting the applicable covenants and restrictions as an obligation of ownership or residency.

What Is The Landings Golf & Athletic Club?

The Landings Golf & Athletic Club is a separate private membership organization.

It operates the golf courses, court sports, pools, wellness facilities, restaurants, clubhouses and many of the social and recreational programs associated with The Landings lifestyle.

Current Club offerings include six championship golf courses, tennis and pickleball facilities, bocce, fitness and wellness facilities, swimming pools, restaurants and organized social activities.

The Club is not the organization that governs the residential properties or enforces the community’s architectural standards. Its primary purpose is to provide membership-based recreation, dining, fitness, golf and social experiences.

Does Buying a Home Automatically Include Club Membership?

Buying a property in The Landings and joining The Landings Golf & Athletic Club are separate decisions.

Property ownership creates obligations to The Landings Association. Club access depends on the membership arrangements, categories, fees and requirements in effect at the time.

The Club currently offers multiple membership levels, including Full Club, Athletic and Associate Golf options, and it also maintains a limited number of memberships for people who do not own property in The Landings.

Buyers should not assume that every amenity they see during a property tour is automatically included with ownership.

Before purchasing, they should confirm:

• Which amenities belong to the Association

• Which facilities require Club membership

• Which membership categories are currently available

• Current initiation fees

• Current dues

• Any waitlists or availability limitations

• Dining or spending requirements

• Guest privileges

• Whether membership is transferable

• Whether any special programs apply to the property or purchaser

Membership offerings and fees can change, so buyers should obtain current information directly from the Club before relying on those costs in their purchasing decision.

What Costs Should Buyers Consider?

A buyer considering The Landings may need to account for several separate categories of expenses.

These can include:

• The Landings Association assessment

• Club initiation fees, when joining

• Club dues

• Golf or athletic membership costs

• Marina or boat-storage fees

• Golf-cart registration or ownership expenses

• Special assessments, when applicable

• Homeowners insurance

• Flood insurance

• Property taxes

• Maintenance associated with the home and lot

Association assessments and Club expenses should not be combined into one general “HOA fee.” They represent different obligations and provide different services.

This distinction becomes particularly important when comparing two homes or determining the full monthly and annual cost of ownership.

Can Residents Use Community Amenities Without Club Membership?

Some amenities and services are associated with The Landings Association and property ownership. Others are operated by The Landings Golf & Athletic Club and require the appropriate Club membership.

For example, the Association maintains amenities and community resources such as marinas, common areas and certain recreational facilities. Golf courses, Club pools, Club dining, wellness facilities and court-sport access generally fall under the Club’s membership structure.

A buyer should ask specifically about the facilities they expect to use.

Someone primarily interested in boating, natural surroundings and the residential community may evaluate the costs differently from someone who plans to golf several times each week, use the wellness facilities or participate heavily in Club dining and social activities.

Why Does This Matter When Comparing Homes?

Two properties with similar prices may have very different total ownership costs.

One buyer may view Club membership as central to the lifestyle they are purchasing. Another buyer may place greater value on the home, lot, privacy, trails, marina access or proximity to Savannah.

Neither approach is right or wrong.

The important question is whether the buyer understands:

• What is included with property ownership

• What requires separate membership

• Which expenses are mandatory

• Which expenses are optional

• Which amenities they are likely to use

• How those costs fit within their overall comfort level

The goal is not simply to determine whether the buyer can afford the purchase price. It is to determine whether the complete financial and lifestyle picture fits their priorities.

What Documents Should Buyers Review?

Before the end of due diligence, buyers should review the available Association documents, including:

• Covenants and restrictions

• Rules and regulations

• Architectural guidelines

• Property-maintenance standards

• Current assessments

• Available financial documents

• Information about pending or proposed assessments

• Rules related to renovations

• Parking and vehicle restrictions

• Leasing or rental restrictions

• Pet provisions

• Golf-cart rules

• Marina or boat-storage information

Buyers considering Club membership should separately request current membership materials directly from The Landings Golf & Athletic Club.

A property’s listing information may mention Association or Club costs, but those figures should always be independently confirmed.

How I Help Buyers Evaluate The Landings

When I work with a buyer considering a home in The Landings, I help separate the property decision from the community and membership questions.

That may include:

• Obtaining available HOA and Association documents

• Helping locate provisions related to the buyer’s specific concerns

• Reviewing property history

• Comparing recent sales

• Preparing a buyer-focused comparative market analysis

• Discussing Association obligations

• Help identifying which amenities require separate Club membership

• Encouraging the buyer to verify current membership fees

• Reviewing flood and insurance considerations

• Comparing the likely total cost of different properties

• Evaluating how each home fits the buyer’s intended lifestyle

I am not here to offer advice on whether a buyer should join the Club or choose a particular home.

My role is to make sure they understand the distinctions, ask the right questions and have access to the information needed to make the best decision for them.

Final Thoughts

The Landings Association and The Landings Golf & Athletic Club are both important parts of life in The Landings, but they serve different purposes.

The Association governs and maintains the residential community and creates obligations connected to property ownership.

The Club provides private golf, athletic, wellness, dining and social amenities through a separate membership structure.

Buyers should understand both before purchasing.

Knowing which costs are required, which are optional and which amenities matter most can help a buyer evaluate not only the home, but the complete lifestyle and financial commitment that come with it.

Rachael Blunt is a Savannah-area REALTOR® with Epique Realty who helps buyers evaluate luxury homes, community obligations, property documents and long-term ownership considerations throughout Skidaway Island and the Greater Savannah area. She is known for providing professional, transparent guidance and being easy to work with throughout the purchasing and selling process.

 

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