Based on factors of interest, price, etc., I usually play Waterford when visiting Mom in Venice. It is composed of three nines: Gleneagles, Turnberry, and Sawgrass. Gleneagles more often seems to be t...
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Based on factors of interest, price, etc., I usually play Waterford when visiting Mom in Venice. It is composed of three nines: Gleneagles, Turnberry, and Sawgrass. Gleneagles more often seems to be the default starting nine with the back nine alternating between the other two. There is no walking before noon and it is situational after that. Currently, after @2:30 they have specials that include walking. The exception is the Sawgrass nine which, probably due to the distance between some of the holes, never allows walking. I discovered this a couple of years ago when I was playing an unlimited walking twilight rate and got chased off the third hole of Sawgrass for walking. I was having an good round, enjoying the walk and there was no one else on the course, but—whatever. Florida courses tend to be built in and around housing developments and flat, as is Waterford generally, but it has a bit more rounding and shape than other courses I've seen in the area—particularly the Gleneagles and Turnberry nines. On the recent trip I played Gleneagles on my own a few times on a walking-nine-after-3pm special for $16. Since I've returned, they upgraded that special to unlimited walking for $16 after 2:30. I played Gleneagles and Turnberrry as 18 one day with my sister. I think the course is a little pricey at full price, but the afternoon rates and late day specials make it more reasonable. The $16 walking, whether 9 holes or unlimited, is a good and great deal respectively. As to the conditions, the tee boxes were very good—nice and flat with good coverage. The fairways had good, even coverage, but it is generally a shorter, tighter lie. While the coverage is full (no bare spots), the grass blades are relatively fine and tight. Visually, it reminds me of a steel wool texture, but soft. Consequently there is a good amount of run out on your shots and it was a good, consistent hitting surface. The greens were definitely on the quick side and pretty true. They were firm to the point of barely registering any pitch marks but receptive enough to incoming shots. There are numerous water hazards throughout the course and frequently you are on a fairway with water bordering at least a portion of one side. Sometimes they were edged with a thick grass that was tough to hit from. Otherwise the rough varied from underbrush to bare to a few inches of grass. I think overall the rough represented fair challenge on average because you could get severely punished or get off easy. There is a nice grass driving range, although the lies/grass there can be extra tight and thin as well as on the sandy side. There is a putting green that doesn't preclude a little chipping and a second, remote putting green between the 8th green and 9th teebox on Gleneagles. There is a restaurant and bar in the clubhouse, but everything shuts down by about 6pm on weekdays. It's a nice facility and a pleasant, but not overly demanding course.
Waterford Golf Club Review
Florida Golf Course Reviews