The GolfDigest section of last week’s issue of BusinessWeek featured a ranking of the top golf retirement regions in the U.S.

We matched our list of top destination clubs to the golf locations. Here are our results, listed according to the GolfDigest ranking:

1. Glenwood Springs/Breckinridge, CO – Clubs nearby (# of homes): High Country Club (5), Exclusive Resorts (6), Portofino Club (3), Quintess, Catch the Dream (4), Solstice (2)
2. Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, HI – Clubs nearby: Bellehavens (1), Exclusive Resorts (20), Portofino Club (1), High Country Club (1), Quintess, Catch the Dream (2), Crescendo (1)
3. Hill Country, TX – Clubs nearby: Portofino Club (1)
4. Plymouth County, Mass.
5. Montgomery County, TX
6. Douglas County, CO
7. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
8. Fort Walton Beach/Panama City, FL
9. Green/Morgan, GA – Clubs nearby: Private Escapes Platinum (1)
10. St. George, UT – Clubs nearby: The Markers (1)
11. NW Arkansas/Branson, MO
12. N. Arizona
13. Coastal Southeast Georgia
14. Richmond, VA
15. Plumas County, CA – Clubs nearby (Tahoe): Exclusive Resorts (9), Portofino Club (1), LUSSO (2)
16. Palm Coast, FL – Clubs nearby: Bellehavens (1)
17. Park City, UT – Clubs nearby: Bellehavens (1)
18. Dane County, Wis.

If you’re an avid golfer, but not quite ready to buy a retirement home in one of these regions, destination clubs provide a cost-effective alternative. Both Exclusive Resorts and BelleHavens have luxury homes in three of the 18 regions. And of course, The Markers is the club with the full-on passion for golf – check their home locations here.

Our financial analysis of destination club membership compared to home ownership indicates it may be cheaper to visit for a week or two at time than settle down.