View of the 16th green at Waterlefe Golf & River Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
1999 Reviews (1999)
5 Stars
1285
4 Stars
603
3 Stars
74
2 Stars
20
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.0
91.7%
Recommend this course
1917 out of 1999 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
53 Reviews (53)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.3%
Recommend this course
50 out of 53 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
199 Reviews (199)
5 Stars
111
4 Stars
65
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
5
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.6
87.9%
Recommend this course
175 out of 199 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6892 yards
Slope 146
Rating 73.9

Inspired by the backdrop of the Manatee River, Ted McAnlis has created the ultimate golf experience with the perfect combination of beauty and challenge. Waterlefe Golf & River Club is built along a particularly beautiful section of the Manatee River, complete with wide expanses of pristine marshes and pleasant coves. Don't be surprised if on the 15th tee you spot a family of manatees poking noses up for a breath of air. The golf course was designed with a great deal of time, effort and expense going toward protecting and resorting the natural environment that gives the course it unique character. The gently sloped greens with the newest Tifteagle Bermuda offer the ultimate in putting. From a lazy start on the par-5 first hole to the big finish on the 18th hole island green, golfers love Waterlefe Golf & River Club!

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Waterlefe Golf and River Club
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Course Details

Year Built 2000
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Ted McAnlis (2000)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker No
Caddies No
Golf School Academy Yes
Golf Simulator No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area No
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole No

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Major credit cards are accepted.
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire required

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

Reviews

4.5
1999 Reviews (1999)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 56
Brunch 17
19th Hole Specials 15
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 158
Forced Carries 105
Bunkers 93
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 126
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 113
Locals 48
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 105
Convenient to the City 51
In the 'Burbs 43

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

slow play

we finished our holiday by playing Waterlefe but left disappointed. The main reason was the lack of rangers keeping pace of play up. We followed a 4 ball and had to wait to play all our shots while we had a two ball pressuring us by hitting balls right up to where we were playing.Our overall time was not too slow but it was not enjoyable!

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Extremely firm greens

Love this course. Played many times. New greens are extremely firm. Very challenging to land on certain greens and keep on. Greens were not fast which was odd. Looked quick, but were not. Scored well above what I used to score here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice But Crowded.

I hadn't played Waterlefe in probably 15 years. I remember it as being a good challenge. Today it was still a good challenge. The course is in very good condition. The new greens are firm but roll very nice. I had two issues with my experience there today - the carts would shut down on portions of the fairways, and even on the cart paths. Do they need to reprogram the sensors? The other concern was the overcrowding on the course. It was slow play today because of that. I didn't see a ranger all day to keep things moving (for the price paid). I enjoyed the round, but struggled the last few holes because it was getting dark.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Great course

Staff friendly, they are rebuilding the club house and was a slow day but other than that at this time it is a great course in fine shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 43
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Trek

Waterlefe is an outstanding trek. However, it's not for unskilled players. Lots of water. If your HC is above 18, you'll likely have a tough day. The course was in great shape. Greens were firm and fast. Clubhouse is being remodeled. I enjoyed it very much. Slopes are 130+. I will definitely return.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Very nice course, some of the best greens around, smooth and fairly fast, Slow play due to difficulty and need for lay ups. Need to hit it stra.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Waterlefe update

After they course being closed for most of the year, I was anxious to check it out. I was not disappointed. The courses is well manicured. Fairways, bunkers and greens were excellent. Pace of play was less than 4 hours. Greens could have been slightly faster and smoother for my preference, but no real complaints. Definitely recommend this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Price

It's a shame that you have raised your price so much this time of year like alot of courses in the area. Your pricing yourself out of range for the average golfers that just don't have the funds for this

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
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