Waterlefe Golf & River Club

Waterlefe Golf & River Club in Bradenton, Florida, features a layout routed through wetlands, lakes and stands of mature oaks, with several holes shaped by water on one side and native marsh on the other.

The first par 3 runs alongside the entrance drive and plays across a lake to a peninsula green framed by trees, with a bunker guarding the back right. The 5th, a demanding par 4, calls for a slightly uphill tee shot to a driving zone that looks down on a low-profile green defended by wetland to the right and sand to the left, with contouring in the putting surface adding to the test. The second par 5 on the front nine requires two solid shots to open up an approach to a green set among specimen oaks; players attempting to reach it in two must shape a fade, as water left and wetlands right punish errant tee and second shots.