Actually, I have a 2 year old golden and I have to agree with everyone!
Puppyhood is a time where you will pull your hair out! And I have another year left.
Keegan doesn't have much of a prey drive, she will stare intently at something, but doesn't normally go after it. She might go after a strange cat or squirrel.
Yes take her to obedience school, I did not do that and regret it very much.
She makes me smile every day. She loves/is obsessed with her tennis balls. Those have to be her all time favorite thing. I hit it with a tennis racket to make it go farther and give her more exercise.
Be aware of health problems. Hypothyroidism and Epilepsy are just a couple. I say Hypothyroid b/c Keegan has it, and I say epilepsy b/c purebred dogs are known for it. Goldens are also known for having bad hips, and getting cancer as was already mentioned.
Protection, I disagree.
Keegan may not be a wonderful watchdog compared to a GSD or Dobie, but she is extremely protective of me, my family, my property and my parents properties. She gets all excited with the tail wags with people that she knows, or friendly people on the street, but if a person that she doesn't know approached me menacingly on the street, she would definately protect me. And she lets me know when people are outside around my house. Much different from my beloved greyhound who rarely rarely barked~~~~ Now that was a BIG thing to get used to going from an almost non barker to one that BARKS A LOT!!!
Price. I really don't know b/c around here unless they are champion bloodlines, $300-$400 is the going price. Keegan's littermates went for $350, tho she was free to me.
I strongly strongly strongly recommend 2 things.
1)Look into a rescue in your area. The love of a rescued dog (especially a Golden I am sure) is something that will never ever ever be compared to. You will know joy like no other from a rescued dog. And sometimes there are dogs in rescue as young as a year old. Which in a sense is puppyhood for a golden.
2) SPAY SPAY SPAY or NEUTER NEUTER NEUTER!!!! Especially if you don't rescue. Don't add to the number of unwanted puppies or dogs if you don't rescue!

I have a regular brush for Keegan, a shedding blade, and a curry comb. All of them are great.
I think a golden would be fine in an apartment, if exercised properly. I have a very very small house, much smaller than A LOT of apartments, and with daily exercise, Keegan does fine. I know when she doesn't get enough exercise, she gets ornery!!!
They always told me - a tired puppy is a happy puppy!!! and a Good Puppy!!