The Windermere Club: #9
View of the 9th hole and fairway at The Windermere Club
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Rating Index Rating
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3.6
494 Reviews (494)
5 Stars
142
4 Stars
178
3 Stars
91
2 Stars
44
1 Stars
39
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.2
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.3
71.4%
Recommend this course
368 out of 494 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
18 Reviews (18)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
88.9%
Recommend this course
16 out of 18 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.4
Value
4.1
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.5
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.1
80.0%
Recommend this course
36 out of 45 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Windermere's layout consistently earns high praise, featuring water holes, sand traps, and dramatic elevation changes that keep every round engaging. Friendly staff and a smooth pace of play make for a rewarding and affordable outing.

About

Holes 18
Type Private
Par 72
Length 6959 yards
Slope 141
Rating 73.8

Located just outside of Columbia, The Windermere Club sits along the banks of the lake that it takes its name from. Pete Dye designed the golf course, crafting a number of memorable holes. It's his only design in the Midlands. No two holes are alike on this challenging layout, so expect to use every club in your bag. The golf course offers a variety of risk-reward opportunities that will appeal to both low and high handicappers. There are also five, and sometimes six, tee boxes on every hole, making the golf course even more appealing for any skill level. The fairways are generous but lined with mature hardwoods and there are strategically placed bunkers to contend with. Golfers at The Windemere Club will also encounter subtle but tricky elevation changes and several lakes and ponds.

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Course Details

Year Built 1989
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect P. B. Dye (1989) Pete Dye (1989)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Appropriate golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Bar

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards
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Reviews

3.6
494 Reviews (494)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 12
Bunkers 7
Forced Carries 6
This course/club is great for:
Locals 6
This Course's Location is:
In the 'Burbs 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Recommended
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Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun to play

Although the greens are in poor conditions and the course could use some grooming overall an enjoyable course to play.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Response from on 08/30/2017:
Thank you for your review and feedback. We're glad you enjoyed playing at The Windermere Club and hope to have you back again soon!
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Goat track

The layout is amazing, but the condition of the course is absolutely horrible from tee to green. Didn't even finish my round it was so bad. Left and went to another course.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Response from on 08/30/2017:
This summer has taken its toll on the course's conditions, like many courses in the area. We hope that you will come back later this year to see The Windermere Club's full potential!
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Used cart

HORRIBLE just HORRIBLE

I rarely do reviews good or bad, but couldn't let this one go by. They have a TV commercial that says how beautiful their bent grass greens are. I had family coming into town for the eclipse so we decided to play there. What a HUGE mistake and embarrassment. The course is in horrible shape. All but maybe one or two of the greens are cooked. More weeds and fungus on them than grass. I wouldn't dare walk on them barefoot. The traps on the front were ok, but the back was horrible. Some had no sand and had been overtaken by weeds. The fairways were "ok" at best. The cart paths, what paths there were, were horrible too. Notice I keep using the word horrible. I've been to some bad courses, but this one tops them all. I was so embarrassed. The only good thing is we were watching the PGA tournament on TV later that day and their commercial ran. My family gave me a reprieve. Talk about false advertising. I wish I didn't have to give this any stars, but do to post. If you read this and still go there, don't say I didn't tell you so.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Response from on 08/25/2017:
Hi tmac22660, thank you for supporting our business by playing our course this summer. It's been a hot one. We appreciate your feedback on your experience as we continuously try to improve our course conditions. We hope your first visit will not deter you from coming back later in the season.
Played On
Reviews 33
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Response from on 08/22/2017:
Thank you for playing The Windermere Club. We hope you enjoyed your experience and please let us know if there is anything we can do to boost your review up to five-stars!
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice course

Play here a lot, as I live in the Windermere community. Never busy, so you can always finish in a decent time. Nice layout and finishing holes are scenic. Some greens took a hit from some fungus and should recover, but they were really nice earlier in the summer.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 08/22/2017:
Thank you for your review and feedback, Mrasche! We're glad you have enjoyed the course this season!
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Going Downhill

It's still OK at this point, but it's obvious the emphasis on maintenance has dwindled. With the emergence of the Mr Knozit ads on tv, you know their budget it decreasing. A gem of a layout when kept up, but it's getting rough out there. About a six pack of Bud Light cans floating in the ninth pond.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 08/22/2017:
Thank you for playing The Windermere Club and sharing your experience.
Played On
Reviews 65
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Love course Layout

Got a great deal with $10 savings, so paid only $8.00 for this round. Windermere is one of my favorite layouts and love the various challenges each hole presents. It also has one of the nicest clubhouses in Columbia area. I have noticed the fairways are not as green, several greens are not in very good condition, and many bunkers are being overrun with various weeds. I would recommend due to varying challenges, but would not pay a standard rate with course current condition.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 08/09/2017:
Thank you for your review, gabrieent. We appreciate your feedback on your round.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 06/12/2017:
Thank you for your great rating, 2016cadi!
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great layout

This course is an excellent test of golf for the average player but the course conditions were terrible. Management needs to invest some money to improve fairways, bunkers, and greens.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Just ok

Well I have come to realize any course on Golf Now in the Columbia area is not going to be a quality course. Windermere is an ok course. It does have a range but nothing special more or less just a bare field. It runs parallel with the first hole so if you want to putt before teeing off you have to go back to the club house which is several hundred yards from the first hole.

The clubhouse is big with a little restaurant and pro shop. The rear balcony sets over the 18th green and has a lake view.

The course has a great layout. The course it's self isn't very well maintained but wasn't expecting much for $36 on a weekend. Tee boxes were patchy and could used some cutting. Some greens were better than others. The worse was the second par 5 on the front. It had quite a few bald spots especially by the hole. Felt like the front nine was easier than the back. It is a short course. I played the white tees and hit 5 wood on the majority of the front 9 and was inside 150 on the holes. On the back it does have three drivable holes but has plenty of hazards to get in trouble with. The course is set in a nice housing community with a few lake holes and yes the water is in play. My biggest complaint is the bunkers. Majority of them had vegetation growing in them and were hard panned.

It was pretty much what I expected considering the area. Majority of the quality courses are going to be private or semi-private.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

I've posted before and the conditions are improving.

Greens are at 90% and improving, and that was the major concern. Should be at 100% really soon. the bunkers need some work, but the staff is out there and working on them. If the course continues to improve the way it has over the past few months, this course could be making its way back to being one of the best in town again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Golf Course

Played Windermere for the first time on Easter Sunday. The course is in great shape and the greens are well maintained. Very nice setting with a residential community bordering the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Previously Played

Several Issues

I had played this course several years ago, it was too long for my game, and is a difficult layout. I thought perhaps it would be friendlier from the Senior Tees, and it would be, if the course were not is such a poor state of repair. and if you had a map with a course layout, or even a hole layout sign at each teebox. There was very little sand in the traps, which is horrendous in a layout that included upwards of 100-150 traps, waist bunkers, pot bunkers etc.. There were several blind Tee shots, with no maps, you just had to guess where the trouble was, turns out it was everywhere. Most of the greens were playable and really large though there was lots of hardpan and debris off the fairway, with all the course undulations you can easily find yourself off the fairway. Not Again!

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

What a shame

Beautiful layout but course in horrible condition. No range balls to practice with. Extremely disappointed with overall experience

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 63
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Winter shape

The course is still in winter shape. Greens were bumpy and have some issue but are improving. The layout is the best feature. Very interesting holes with lots of sand traps .

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Superb golf outing

Superb golf course. Well maintained and beautiful. Will play there again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Getting there

My first time playing and the layout of the course is fantastic. The course gives a lot of different looks. The staff is friendly and the facilities are nice.

At the end of the day, my issue is the same issue that everyone else has: course conditions. The greens are in rough shape and a few of the bunkers are in the process of being renovated. Its not for a complete lack of regular maintenance. As said before, the Columbia has been hit hard with weather over the past year and half (the flood, an abnormally brutal summer, and then a hurricane). It looks like the bunkers will be done soon, but the greens still need work. I could tell they were trying and hopefully they can get it straightened out this spring. If the greens can get cleaned up, this would be my favorite course in Columbia, hands down.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Used to be one of the best courses in the Columbia area

Very disappointed with the condition of the course. Greens had many pot marks/holes. Bunkers in very bad condition. Glad I only had to pay $20 to play.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Rebuilding sand traps

They are in the process of rebuilding the sand traps on the back nine so we got relief from these. The greens are in need of addition work which looks like they are also addressing. Overview we had a great time the layout is superb and staff friendly

Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

Those Poor Greens

Still incredibly sad to see what used to be one of the top tracks in Columbia with greens that looked like they'd been shelled in Fallujah. Seems like the grounds crews are trying, but altho the greens are still mostly true and fair-paced, the pock-marks and divots still have those previously nice greens an absolute mess.

Who knows, at some point the drainage on the greens that has had them soft and mushy may have to be addressed with completely new drains. At least the crab grass (actually crab grass!, not poa) was finally gone since last round.

There's no way in the world Windermere should be charging their members and guests regular rates until it looks less like a war zone. Worth your play if you can get a REALLY decent rate on GolfNow. And mebbe the greens will finally come back after aeration this spring. But til then, it's slipped from a premier club to lower-tier muni. Buyer beware.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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