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
2300 Reviews (2300)
5 Stars
1501
4 Stars
676
3 Stars
83
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.2
97.6%
Recommend this course
2209 out of 2300 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.9
97.7%
Recommend this course
43 out of 44 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
124 Reviews (124)
5 Stars
100
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
99.2%
Recommend this course
123 out of 124 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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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

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Reviews

4.7
2300 Reviews (2300)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 52
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Nice all around

Clubhouse group was excellent, starter was great. Course was in good shape, even with all of the rain. Geeens had been punched but coming back well. Service was top notch

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 08/12/2025:
Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience and look forward to having you back again.
Played On
Reviews 33
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Very nice

Nice course, pretty decent layout. Price isn’t great for Florida in the summer.. definitely nice courses for much cheaper. But if price don’t matter you definitely should try it

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 263
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 25 Contributor
Georgia Advisor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Fun and fantastic layout. Definitely Go Play!!!

This was my first time playing here and I REALLY liked it. It is a challenging course, but I loved playing the different and varied golf holes.

The course was in excellent condition. The greens great (smooth, undulations, quick and fun). The clubhouse has great and the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Very fun layout with lots of water on almost every hole.

I played in the middle the day on Thursday in July. It was HOT (93 degrees with a “feels like” temperature of 103 degrees). But it is Florida in July. That is to be expected.

What a fun design and we'll maintained. I would play this over TPC Tampa any day, especially for the price.

I loved the course! Great course design and fantastic conditions.

Definitely play here if you get the chance. Well worth the money and the time.

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

Waterlefe review

We have played Waterlefe before and always enjoyed it. It is quite a difficult course and I would not recommend it for beginners. The course was in excellent condition despite the greens having been airated recently.

Clubhouse has been improved and has friendly staff.

Definitely play here if you can

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
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 Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 62
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

In great shape

Got about 15 holes in before being dumped on. But it’s summer golf in Florida. Always a great track.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course - great conditions.

Played while on vacation. Very fun layout. Lots of water on nearly every hole. Got backed up behind some slow playing seniors but had a good time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 07/11/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great staff and course

Even though the weather was rough, the staff and course were excellent! What a fun design and we'll maintained course. I would play this over TPC Tampa any day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun Course - Great Conditions

Played this course on our vacation. Course was in great shape. Greens rolled true and fairways were great. Lots of water on nearly every hole. Bring a lot of balls if you do not hit it straight! Would definitely recommend it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once 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 2
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 Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

My favourite course in Florida

We come to Florida every year and never miss the opportunity to play this course.

Absolutely superb !

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course! Play was slow on a Sunday

I loved the course! Good design, good conditions.... I'll never go back on a weekend though. Front 9 was on pace and fun. Back 9 was slow enough to read several chapters of a book between swings. Ruined my rhythm.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Staff

I drove up to the front of the club house. The guy that was standing outside in charge of carts just stood there. I got my clubs out and put them on the cart myself then parked my car. Went into the club house to pay. Came back out and asked if I could get a bucket of balls. He didn’t even acknowledge me. He was a jerk. He didn’t want to be there clearly. The starter was really friendly and helpful. After my round another guy came right over to me. Cleaned my clubs. Asked if I was happy with my first experience there. Super nice guy. Completely different from the guy in the morning.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course!

Waterlefe is a stunning subtropical course. Layout was beautiful. Course accuracy matters due to multiple water hazards, no matter which tees you play from. I had a great round there and will definitely be back when in the area. One of the finest courses I have had the opportunity to play!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 06/18/2025:
Thanks for the glowing feedback! It’s always a pleasure hearing that guests had a fantastic time. Hope to see you again soon!
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