Waterlefe Golf & River Club: #16
View of the 16th green at Waterlefe Golf & River Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
2350 Reviews (2350)
5 Stars
1540
4 Stars
685
3 Stars
85
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
97.9%
Recommend this course
2258 out of 2350 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
54 Reviews (54)
5 Stars
43
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
98.1%
Recommend this course
53 out of 54 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
107 Reviews (107)
5 Stars
83
4 Stars
21
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
98.1%
Recommend this course
105 out of 107 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Waterlefe's stunning subtropical layout features water hazards on nearly every hole, consistently earning top marks for both design and well-maintained conditions. Friendly staff, smooth pace of play, and outstanding value make this a must-play course in the Tampa-Sarasota region.

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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Course Details

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

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker 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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.7
2350 Reviews (2350)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 56
Brunch 17
19th Hole Specials 15
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 159
Forced Carries 106
Bunkers 94
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 126
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 113
Locals 48
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 106
Convenient to the City 51
In the 'Burbs 43

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Waterlefe never dissapoints

Love playing Waterlefe... Challenging but fair...Greens are rolling true.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Windy weather

Goof Design. Rock Hard Greens

Interesting, challenging course. Rock hard greens putt beautifully but don't hold iron shots, especially long irons. Be sure to play the right tee!

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Waterlefe

Waterlefe is one of my favorite courses in the Bradenton/Sarasota area-challenging and interesting layout in tropical surroundings and wildlife.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 208
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great layout and greens were rolling true

I would recommend this course and hope that they open a few tee times via golf now for golf now members..

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic Experience!!

What a great experience. Loved everything about our round. Only thing that could have been better is when the clubhouse renovation is finished. Would love to play it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Greens

Fairways are tired but the greens were renovated summer of 23 and are excellent

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 110
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 18
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
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

New Greens

Greens were renovated in 2023 are excellent

Fairways need to be renovated next

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 147
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
Previously Played

Top Notch!

Waterlefe is one of my favorite courses anywhere, with an exciting mix of beautiful and challenging holes. The conditions were perfect as was pace of play. Anytime I'm in the area I'll be back at Waterlefe

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

Waterlefe Golf

I’ve played This golf course many times As usual, the grounds are pristine, and the car layout very interesting, especially from the longer tees I would recommend this course to anyone great value One slight downside, the starter is basically invisible and you need to ask people when it’s OK to takeoff and where to take

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stunningly beautiful, good challenge

One of the best layouts I've seen. I love all the trees, nature areas, water, wildlife, types of sands, lengths and types of grasses.... this course was beautiful. It played a little wet everywhere but the green. A little frustrating to have a ball land one yard short of the green and plug, but land on the green and bounce 10 yards. They putted true though - very comfortable speed. Faster would have been fine. I also loved all the boardwalks! Put a lid on your drink! Haha! The fairways were very wide and a couple times I thought I hit a less than perfect shot and it turned out fine - course was more forgiving than it looked off the tee and even some of the second shots on par 5s. Fun track,100% recommended and I'll come back for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 17
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 Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Waterlefe experience

We played Waterlefe for our first time, but it won’t be the last. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the course was in excellent condition. There are lots of great challenges with the water coming into play on just about every hole. Course management is a must on this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course is challenging but really good.

The new greens are hard and not very

receptive. Enjoyed the course

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Perfect round to start the year

Nice pace of place, nice firm greens. Always a pleasure to play here!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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