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
2385 Reviews (2385)
5 Stars
1567
4 Stars
691
3 Stars
87
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
97.7%
Recommend this course
2292 out of 2385 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
75 Reviews (75)
5 Stars
58
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.9
97.3%
Recommend this course
73 out of 75 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
106 Reviews (106)
5 Stars
84
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.2%
Recommend this course
103 out of 106 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 6869 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
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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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.7
2385 Reviews (2385)

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 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Amenities

Understandable low rating on amenities as they are rebuilding the club house

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Waterlefe

First time playing beautiful course great layout and in good conditions. Pace of play was excellent played under 4hrs staff was helpful and friendly.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play

The pace of play was extremely slow. Did not see a ranger. 3 hole gap finally had to skip a couple of holes

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Under construction at the clubhouse

But the course is still great. Lotsa water and very cool design. Always on my list on a Florida trip. Hope they don’t price themselves out of my budget…getting close now.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Love Waterlefe

I've played this course several times a year for several years. Very challenging but fair. I highly recommend it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Slow

3 hours for the first 9 holes. I quit after 10. The guy did offer a rain check for half off the next golf round there, but I was expecting better from a higher end golf course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

slowest round of golf I have experienced in years

I was told it was cart path only in the AM and that had caused slow play into the afternoon. Slow is not the word to describe it. Mind numbingly slow. No beverage cart and the clubhouse is being renovated. I enjoy this course and have played it many times. As the 9th hole approached the thoughts of suicide were too overwhelming and I abandoned the desire to continue. I'll wait until the snowbirds, that don't mind a 51/2 to 6 hour round of golf return home before I dish out premium $ to play here. My feedback would be that the Ranger keeps the pace of play as a focus. I do recommend you play here given the chance. It was just one of those days I guess.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 60
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Course is is in excellent condition and challenging Course. Greens are in great condition. I would recommend it to good golfers

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
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 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 214
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
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