The Duncan family, Doug and Jean with children Tripp, 10, back Charlie, 7, and Molly, 6 on their deck. The backyard facces the ladies tee box on the 16th hole at WestLake. ANNETTE M. DROWLETTE/STAFF

That's because it would take a massive slice or hook to land a ball on the Duncan property. "If you hit a golf ball here, you need lessons," said Mr. Duncan, owner of Golf Augusta Pro Shop and a golf enthusiast. "We've only been here once in 10 years when a ball came flying in the yard."

Mrs. Duncan said the Georgian-style home needed some work when they moved in.

The first step was a dramatic change to the foyer, which had slate-like linoleum flooring and a curved, wrought-iron staircase. The Duncans transformed the foyer with a wooden staircase and hardwood flooring.

Outside, the variegated pattern of brown, yellow and slate-colored bricks on the exterior reminded Mrs. Duncan of a pair of plaid golf slacks and had to go.

So, about four years after they moved in, they painted the brickwork white and dramatically changed the look of the home. They also added a circular driveway.

"People were coming to meet the new neighbors," she said.

The home was painted white. Window treatments add a dash of color to the breakfast area, giving it, like the kitchen, a brighter appearance. ANNETTE M. DROWLETTE/STAFF

Inside, renovations were made to open up the four-bedroom home, but keep it "warm and cozy," Mrs. Duncan said.

The once-dark kitchen cabinets are now white, and the room is painted a bright, cheery yellow. The dining area is accented with red-and-white curtains and a wallpaper border of blue-and-white dishes.

Next to the kitchen is the playroom, replete with foosball and billiard tables. Once covered with a dark paneling, the walls have been painted a lighter brown.

The decor features golf memorabilia, including adjacent photos of Jack Nicklaus receiving the green jacket from Arnold Palmer and Mr. Palmer receiving the green jacket from Mr. Nicklaus. Other memorabilia includes the head of a putter signed by Payne Stewart, a signed golf club from Mr. Palmer and a picture of the Augusta National Clubhouse.

Many antiques once owned by grandparents and great-grandparents are now part of the Duncan household.

A dresser and secretary once covered with black paint have been restored to their original wood finish. They are part of the decor in the formal living room, as is a mantel that's more than 150 years old. The mantel didn't fit the Duncan's fireplace, but Mrs. Duncan kept it anyway, as a decorative piece.

An armoire upstairs in the master bedroom was painted a distasteful lime green, but turned out to be a beautiful surprise for Mrs. Duncan once the original wood had been restored.

The bed in their 6-year-old daughter's room is also an old piece. Molly's room is a light yellow and has a floral wallpaper border.

Brothers Tripp, 10, and Charlie, 7, share a room next to Molly's. The room features three white walls and one brown accent wall. A border of bears playing sports finishes off the walls.

Reach Charmain Brackett at (803) 441-6927 or czbrackett@hotmail.com.