Waterlefe Golf & River Club in Bradenton, Florida, USA | GolfPass
Waterlefe Golf & River Club: #16
View of the 16th green at Waterlefe Golf & River Club
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.6
2231 Reviews 2231 Reviews
5 Stars
1447
4 Stars
663
3 Stars
82
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
95.8%
Recommend this course
2141 out of 2231 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
89 Reviews 89 Reviews
5 Stars
72
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
98.9%
Recommend this course
88 out of 89 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
171 Reviews 171 Reviews
5 Stars
128
4 Stars
39
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.8
98.2%
Recommend this course
168 out of 171 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!

Book a Tee Time at
Waterlefe Golf and River Club
Powered by GolfNow.com

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
Show All

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.6
2231 Reviews (2231)

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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

I am thinking not very much rain lately as greener fairways are appreciated

Pace of play was amazing - 2 groups let me go past them as I was a single on back nine - enjoyed the game..just over 3 hours amazing!!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Track

First time here and was not disappointed! Great layout with lots of beautiful homes. Greens are in good shape as is the rest of the course. Friendly staff and starter and they actually had a ranger going around although the pace was good. Will come back when time permits!

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
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
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course , very difficult

Great course , was extremely windy which makes a hard course even harder. watch out for the back 9 being extra balls.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

A Good Test

Waterlefe is a favorite of mine. Always in great shape when I've played there. It's gotten pricey over the past few years, but worth playing if you're looking for a good challenge, scenic views, and very good conditions.

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 03/24/2025:
Appreciate the top marks! It means a lot to us that you had such a positive experience. We’ll continue doing our best to make every visit exceptional.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great condition

Greens were nice and fast. Excellent facilities, driving range, bathrooms, water stations. Started a little slow in the front 9 but the back 9 pace picked up well and finished at 4 hours.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
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

Course Beautiful Layout

Great course with really unique layout. Challenging with water on every hole. Really beautiful holes with some small undulation which is unique to Florida. Brand new club house that had great food.

Only complaint is the bugs were terrible. The course is on a river which makes for the beautiful layouts but recommend bringing bugs spray and wearing pants and sleeves.

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 85
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Absolutely great course, very challenging though.

The course conditions were absolutely pure. The scenery was incredible especially on the back 9. The course is difficult. On the back 9 there is a par 3 that if you don’t hit the green your basically OB. The staff was incredibly friendly and pleasant. Cart beverage service was good. Practice range and green area is nice. Great course will be playing again soon.

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging course

We were referred here from a friend. It was a well maintained course with very friendly staff. Pace of play was excellent. Don’t get comfortable with the front 9. The back 9 is a killer. Really enjoyed it, however.

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Waterlefe was fun!

I liked the front 9 and loved the back 9. The back 9 has water on both sides of most of the holes, however there is plenty playable room. I thought it was fun challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Clubhouse just built, Pro Shop temp. Location makes amenities rating difficult. Very good experience overall.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome Course!!!

So beautiful and challenging! There were scenic views on every hole. Every hole was unique and challenging. The course was in excellent condition. Driving range was so cool and the staff was so friendly. Totally worth the money.

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Another interesting course

Lots of water but appropriate sized landing areas...be smart! Greens pretty true, mid speed. Carts with course layout, yardage, etc on screen, which is helpful. I liked this course alot. The back nine seems to be a bit toughrr.

Show All
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Really nice course

We enjoyed the course very much. Greens, fairways, and tee boxes were all in excellent condition. Staff was helpful and friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Nearby Courses
Bradenton, Florida
Semi-Private
4.4977
221
Parrish, Florida
Semi-Private
3.4823176471
936
Bradenton, Florida
Public
4.0384352941
1120
Bradenton, Florida
Semi-Private
4.4977
221
Golf Packages

Innisbrook Golf Resort Stay & Play Package

FROM $237 (USD)
REUNION, FL | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Innisbrook Golf Resort and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Innisbrook – Copperhead Course, Innisbrook – Island Course, and Innisbrook – South Course.

Encore Resort At Reunion Stay & Play Package

FROM $187 (USD)
REUNION, FL | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at the Encore Resort at Reunion and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of ChampionsGate - International Course, ChampionsGate - National Course, Hawk's Landing Golf Course, Celebration Golf Course, and Southern Dunes Golf Course.

Best of Disney Golf Package

FROM $107 (USD)
ORLANDO, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodation at Tuscana Resort Orlando and 3 rounds of golf at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, Palm Golf Course and Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

Orlando Ironman Golf Package

FROM $157 (USD)
ORLANDO, FL | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodation at The Fountains Resort Championsgate and 6 rounds of golf at Orange County Panther Lake, Orange County Crooked Cat, Omni International, Omni National, Celebration Golf Club and Falcons Fire Golf Club.

Orlando Member for a Day Golf Package

FROM $147 (USD)
ORLANDO, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodation at Tuscana Resort Orlando and 3 rounds of golf at Bella Collina Country Club, Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club and The Country Club of Winterhaven.
Now Reading
loading