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
2363 Reviews (2363)
5 Stars
1553
4 Stars
685
3 Stars
85
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
98.0%
Recommend this course
2271 out of 2363 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
63 Reviews (63)
5 Stars
52
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
98.4%
Recommend this course
62 out of 63 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
117 Reviews (117)
5 Stars
93
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
98.3%
Recommend this course
115 out of 117 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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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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GolfPass Member Pricing
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Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.7
2363 Reviews (2363)

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 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2022

Hi, u314163198999. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Waterlefe Golf & River Club. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!

Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First time player

Great course with interesting layout. Beautiful course... would definitely play again.

Only negative, played on a Thurs... no beer cart

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2022

Wow! We are so happy you enjoyed your round, u314160917840! We look forward to seeing you again soon at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

scenic

course in really good shape, everyone working the course are very friendly. challenging course where if your too errant off the tee, you will get penalized, but shot a 95 where normally I'm at 90. felt ok about this since I've never played the course before and must have lipped out 5 or 6 putts for par( not a good putting day) I'll definitely play it again.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2022

cntgetenuf, thank you for your kind words! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another 5-star experience. Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
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
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2022

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club!

Played On
Reviews 19
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2022

Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club!

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

One of my favorites.

Challenging but not frustrating, great shape, fun layout. I really enjoy this course a lot.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/26/2022

Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/20/2022

Hi, misu. We would love to hear more about your 4-star experience on our course. Please tell us what we can do to earn that last star, and thanks for golfing at Waterlefe Golf & River Club!

Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

All was perfect, just greens were being repaired but other than that it’s a breathtaking course

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/13/2022

Thank you for your review, stpete69. We will pass along your positive experience to our team at Waterlefe Golf & River Club. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Waterlefe

Second time playing this course with fond memories of the first time over 15 years ago. It’s still a great track with a variety of challenging holes. Green appear to have a disease, since they are multiple shades of green. Still in pretty good condition though. Definitely a course to play over again many times.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/09/2022

Your feedback is important to us, u6368488. Thank you for sharing your 5-star experience. We look forward to seeing you again at the course soon! Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
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
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/07/2022

Hi, Golfrob2020. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Waterlefe Golf & River Club. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!

Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Greens and Holes A Little Disappointing

We played on Sunday am. Greens not up to normal Waterlefe level. Greens were not fast at all and some bad areas. Also , holes themselves not moved in 2- 3 days. Holes were a bit hairy where grass growing over some of the sides. Traps not raked either. Normally course is top notch; but not this day and not worth $59 plus tax. Other courses in area are cheaper and greens in better shape.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/29/2022

Hello, bubbamizr1958. Thank you for visiting us at Waterlefe Golf & River Club. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Hot weather

A New Member Assesses the Waterlefe Experience

I have been a member for just under one year.

I have been a member of other golf clubs of over ten top golf clubs (now in my 69th year of golf) and played 60 of the top 100, including over 100 rounds at Pine Valley GC (ranked the #1 course in the world for the past 72 out of 75 years).

Waterlefe:

Very congenial members and, including spouses, under 400.

Top staff in all departments.

One of the top five challenges in Sarasota/Manatee.

My opinion, as picturesque as any in the US.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/26/2022

Your feedback is important to us, Bob6673866. Thank you for sharing your 5-star experience. We look forward to seeing you again at the course soon! Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

This is a very good and challenging course. Greens were still healing but rolled well. Will definitely return to play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/26/2022

fjwillia, thank you for your kind words! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another 5-star experience. Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Not Quite Up To Expectations

Played this course several times in the past. Today we played Waterlefe for the first time in a few months. Not up to expectations. We have Suncoast Trail Card and paid $59 plus tax for Sunday 9:08 tee time. Personnel nice snd cordial. Greens were our main complaints. Holes not changed it appeared for 2-3 days as hairy growth over side of holes. Green not cut at all and were average speed. When you play Waterlefe you expect fast cut greens. Not the case. Our group felt because of greebs mainly, that Rosedale was better quality greens and $15 cheaper. Won’t be back to Waterlefe for awhile. Just not worth $60 to play.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/23/2022

We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us, bubbamizr1958. We are going to pass on your feedback to the team. Thanks for visiting Waterlefe Golf & River Club, and we hope to see you again in the future.

Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Elite

Awesome track! Made the drive down from land o lakes and it was so worth it. Course is beautiful. Didn’t use the driver much as the course is tight and covered by water, but it was pretty scenic. Greens were rolling true. Free range balls too, can’t go wrong.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/23/2022

gbar94, thank you for your kind words! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another 5-star experience. Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/23/2022

Hello, u314163090778. We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. We would love to know how we can earn those last two stars next time! Thanks for playing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/23/2022

Hi, mfreitas. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at Waterlefe Golf & River Club. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice track

Beautiful course. Challenging holes especially on the back 9.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/18/2022

Thank you for taking the time to review us, u000001408525. Your feedback is valuable, and we appreciate your business. Waterlefe Golf & River Club thanks you!

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course!!!

Good combo of both target golf and resort golf. Played white but they have wicked tips tee boxes for scratch golfers. Greens and fairways in excellent shape!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/18/2022

Hi, u000001720340. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A Welcome Challenge

Very nice layout. I believe there was water on every hole. This course demands accuracy or alot of extra balls. This is your classic position or target golf. Get your distances and hit your shots and you will score. Greens were superb for this time of year (early August). Tee boxes needed a little work but fairways were near perfect and rolling well. Get to the course early and groove your swing and get your distance putting down before you tee off on this one or bring plenty of balls. Staff very friendly and pace of play was fine.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 08/16/2022

Wow! We are so happy you enjoyed your round, kyhacker69! We look forward to seeing you again soon at Waterlefe Golf & River Club.

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