View of the 16th green at Waterlefe Golf & River Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.4
2056 Reviews (2056)
5 Stars
1318
4 Stars
622
3 Stars
79
2 Stars
20
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.9
90.1%
Recommend this course
1970 out of 2056 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
110 Reviews (110)
5 Stars
71
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
93.6%
Recommend this course
103 out of 110 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
130 Reviews (130)
5 Stars
75
4 Stars
35
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
4
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.9
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
86.9%
Recommend this course
113 out of 130 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

4.4
2056 Reviews (2056)

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 6
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Bring Plenty of Balls!

Amazing course with lots of water and lots of trouble. Highly recommend!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Waterlefe course

Expensive green fees with clubhouse under construction, poor value

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great layout

This course is beautiful and was in great shape. Lots of water and much of it comes into play. You do have to be careful if you’re a long hitter because some of the water isn’t visible from the tee. The greens were firm and fairly fast and rolled out pretty well. There are several sets of tees and hybrid tees also.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A NEW FAVORITE!

I caddie for Happy Gilmore (Bloomington, Indiana) and this was our first time playing this course. We were on a fun spring break golf trip ahead of his senior season in Tampa. This course surpassed our expectations! We both think it's one of the nicest courses we have been to in Florida! Course was in great shape tee to green. Challenging holes and plenty of wildlife. Defiantly will add this course to the play list in the future! Highly recommend it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Challenging and picturesque

Overall a very good challenge for the average golfer. Lots of tee shots requiring both accuracy and distance. GPS systems in the carts were essential as water it everywhere.
Shots to greens were always demanding. Greens themselves in good shape. Tough to hold longer irons. Greens were not that fast but we played in the afternoon.
Only negative was the clubhouse under renovation. Looks like it’s going to be a while before it is done. Trailer in the parking lot was ok as a halfway house at least.

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

Lovely course

What a beautiful and enjoyable course. It's in great shape and greens rolled true. Enjoyed the layout, with a need for careful ball placement on several holes. Would love to play it again and again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Waterlefe in March 2024

Solid course before and after renovations. Clubhouse is still closed, but the course is very nice and I go for the course not the clubhouse. Greens were firm from the recent renovations. It was a windy day, so that factor along with the challenging layout made scoring tough. Daylight Savings Time effects your putting, which is why we couldn’t sink any putts.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 52
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

No Club House, No Warning

Great Course, NO BEVERAGE SERVICE, NO 19TH HOLE AND NO WARNING. pay full price for country club setting and got Municipality service.... unfortunately Im not coming back!! Too many other GREAT courses

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
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 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 22
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 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 7
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 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
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