GolfGlobal

I do not have anything nice to stay about this course. The pace of play was extremely slow. The golfers in front of us were 5 players, 3 carts, and playing out of three bags. There were no bag handlers at check in. The staff in the pro shop were extremely grumpy. The greens and course in general were in poor shape. A staff member walked onto the green as I was hitting to the green to change the hole. An extremely horrible experience.

I've played the course for over 25 years, while its had some ups and downs in course management, the current conditions of the course are excellent for the cost. For the cost (assuming your getting a hot deal) 30-40$, its the best course within a 50 mile radius of the bradenton area (public/semi-private course, and I've played almost everyone, so I can say that with confidence). The closest comparable courses are lakewood national's two course and Entrada's two course (both don't currently offer hot deals, the former does not appear on GolfNow any longer). This doesn't make the course outstanding, it just means for the value, when available, its your best choice.

That said, don't expect to play in less than 4 hours.

Excellent practice facilities.

SUPER SLOW (at non-peak times); golfers will NOT let you play through, even when 3+ holes are completely open in front of them and you are waiting on ea. shot. No apparent ranger. Golf staff poor and rude. The course is in good conditions, but there are plenty of courses that offer the same or better conditions for the same value, without the slow pace and rude staff.

Heed my warning, or you are likely to suffer the same fate we did (it wasn't enjoyable).

Greens have significant issue with crabgrass, while it appears they are trying to cut and roll to keep them in working condition, don't bother with more than two strokes for the green. Green speed is quite inconsistent, and if there is a crab grass between the ball and the hole (which if you haven't holed out, is very likely), then true putts will be far and few. (i.e. equivalent of your 10-20$ course)

Fairways were in decent condition, you'll find dry patches and crabgrass, but not a significant issue in most instances. (i.e. equivalent of your 25-35$ course).

Rough was in decent condition (i.e. equivalent of your 25-35$ course).

Sand traps need significant work, while playable, I would argue they are the equivalent of a lower end municipal in their current shape. (i.e. equivalent of your 10-20$ course).

Course Design, ok, nothing unique. I've played 200+ courses in my life, very rarely have I not taken a picture of at least one hole, even the crappiest municipal typically has something unique or redeeming to photo. This course didn't warrant a single photo, the nicest view on the course was the clubhouse (which is nice).

Pace of play for 18, ~ 3 hrs., though expect significantly longer, we got caught behind a group on the back 9 with a few old guys that took 12 shots (per person) to reach the green (it took 3 holes before they let us through),

We played the second tee box from tips (blue tees I believe), these tees have their own unique issue. These tees and likely the tees behind and one in front have a fee blind shots off the tee because they don't maintain the bushes in front of the tee, I imagine this is less based on course design and more based on lack of proper maintenance.

Plus, range is included with price. Aqua range.

The course is for the most part well marked, which hasn't been my experience on a number of golf courses in Florida, so for those without GPS, its a plus.

I had high hopes for the course based on the level of review, and was rather disappointed, in its current condition I would recommend playing other courses. I think its an ok course for a sub-30$ price, if you want to practice some shots on a course, but bear in mind that putting will be very hit and miss and you may need to move the ball to some grass occasionally, even when on the fairway.

This is one of the best courses I have played. The scenery and air in the mountains is extremely beautiful and comfortable. The course is taken care of meticulously and the hospitality of the staff is wonderful. I look forward to returning and spending more time.

The entire experience from start to finish was perfect. The course was in great condition. The pace of play was perfect. Quite enjoyable.

Extremely slow play with no marshaling at all. Staff working around the course all day with no consideration of players. Tee boxes, fairways, and area around the greens patchy, weedy, with lack of any resemblance of a quality golf course. The only saving grace was the friendliness of the staff in the pro shop and the cart staff. My recommendation is to play elsewhere.

Course is no where close to being worth the money they want to play it.

I wouldn't play it unless you can get it for less than 20$. The layouts unoriginal; fringe around the green is in need of repair/growth; rough is well ... "rough"; no gps in the cart (at this price?? really?); No Range at the course??? (again, really?), etc. etc.

The only positive I could mention is that they had decent COVID measures in place.

I have played 15 different courses in 19 days, the greens at IMG were the best of any played thus far. They were quick and ran true.

On the other-hand, pace of play was horrible, we had to play behind close to 20 IMG Academy students (~ 5 groups) that I think were also getting lessons as they played. At one point there was 6 groups on the par 5, 7th hole. That type of pace just kills a round. NO notice what so ever from the pro shop when placing my team time (same day-so they knew the academy group was out there). And as a side-note, I would have thought the Academy golfers would have been much better, they looked like weekend hackers, which only lead further to a slow pace of play.

The course layout is your average FL golf community layout, it was in fairly good condition.

The greens are top dressed, so prepare for inconsistent speed on putts and random wedge/approach shots stopping abruptly. I would give it at least two weeks before I would consider playing the course if you want a decent chance at making a putt in one.

The course itself is in fairly good conditions, although there are a number of spots that are extremely wet, likely the result of recent rain and inadequate drainage infrastructure. While it may not impede a very good golfer, as the dampness was mainly along the edges of the holes, there was some impact around the green, which is of particular issue with the pin placements that are on the front and likely expect the majority of golfers to land short and have the ball bounce on for an optimal position (you won't get that bounce with the wetness, and could see occasional plugging in the current conditions).

Pace of play was horrible. It will become real obvious on the last three holes which are all visible from the 16th tee, and you can see the only group within that segment is the group in front of you. There was no apparent ranger on the course during our round. Expect a long day.

At this price point I would expect GPS in the cart, it is fairly custom in Florida at this price point, particularly as it typically enhances pace of play. I would recommend a range finder, particularly if you intend to play from the back tees, or near the back, as the course will have you clear water on multiple occasions, and a range finder will ensure you don't try to bight off more than you can chew.

I believe in an ideal condition, the course is potentially worth a hot deal (namely because of the back nine's course layout, in particularly 17 and 18), the front nine isn't worth mentioning).

I had high hopes for the course, seeing as the course was found on a number of golf course aggregating websites as well ranked. I would like to believe that at one time this course could have been well ranked; HOWEVER, that is, nor was my current experience. There is a number of greens that are currently having repair done or require additional maintenance [I wasn't made aware of this till I walked into the pro shop on the day of the round- hopefully those reading this are now aware, and keep this in mind when booking]. As for the course, as long as your in the center of the course its in decent condition, but seeing as I wasn't, and I'm a scratch golfer, most of you are curious about the places you will likely play out of i.e. the edges of the fairway, rough (~), and waste bunkers (which take there name quite literally to the quality of their condition, and bear in mind they consider the bunkers around the green as waste bunkers, so don't expect good conditions for wedge shots). Crab grass (I think thats what its called) and patches are growing issue the farther you deviate from the center of the course.

For the price, one would expect GPS in the cart, there isn't. Don't buy the yardage book in the pro shop, the yardage/help is sparse.

Now the staff. Reason alone to avoid the course, if the above wasn't enough to cause apprehension. By the time I finished my round I felt harassed, threatened, and lied to. I never seen such unprofessional behavior from a ranger, manager, and cart girl. [The women in the pro shop was pleasant, though I would expect with a pandemic currently in full swing, at least the staff indoor would wear a mask, I understand in FL its not necc. req., by law, but sometimes you hope commonsense will prevail.]

While not really a substantial impact on my round, the cart paths look like someone took a jack hammer to them every hundred feet or so for 18 holes. It leads me to believe that at its prime it may have been a great course, but over time either management/ownership has changed and/or ownership has chosen to milk the golfers who make the mistake to come and play for every dime they can.

I don't see much changing in the future, particularly with the staff, seeing as the managers family member (an employee of the course as well) is largely the root of at least my experienced issues. Take my experience as you will, I just hope to enlighten fellow golfers on my experience, so they may avoid their own horrible experience seeing as the outer Tampa area offers so many higher caliber courses at more affordable rates.

Course was in good conditions with the exception of the greens. The greens have recently been top dressed and aerated and therefore were slower (though not terribly slow, with the exception of a few holes) and at times inconsistent/not running true. I shot 71 (par 72) on a windy day, while good, could have been considerably better had some of the greens run more consistent/better. I would prefer notice of this at time of booking, I don't know if this is the fault of the course or golfnow. In perfect condition the course is likely worth five stars, currently I would give it 4 stars with the state of the greens. I hope to have the opportunity to play it again in the future, I'm sure at peak conditions the course plays even better.

Also as a side note, I appreciate that the starter (concierge-i think that what they were calling him) was able to get us out about 25-30 min early of our scheduled tee time; I knew based on what I had seen for the weather that we would be racing the storm to finish, and I appreciate that he could help.

Practice facilities were well kept.

While I would not say its a course in great condition, the greens putted well, the staff were good, the layout was enjoyable, and the pace with the exception of three old ladies who wouldn't let anyone through even though they avg. 20 min+ a hole (we were able to get by when they stopped after 9, hallelujah!), was good. If you can get a tee time cheap, its worth the play.

Don't Play. Riverwood appears to center their marketing approach around a positive ranking from Golf Advisor in 2018 and before; quite frankly I'm curious what Riverwood had to offer Golf Advisor for said rankings.

First and foremost, the golfing experience starts when you arrive, not when you get to the first tee, to describe the staff as rude, particularly the starter would be polite.

The carts are without GPS, which is no make or break for a course, but definitely lowers its rating seeing as its standard for any other golf course in Florida at this price point ($)30+.

As for the course, the layout was average, your typical gated community track. I had thought with such rating on GolfNow/golfadvisor that there would be at least one special hole, that was apparently too wishful thinking.

Hopefully, this review will help persuade those thinking they will enjoy their experience to look elsewhere. If not, at least I tried to help ...'

Rude staff, particularly the starter. It seems to be a common issue for many Florida courses that unfortunately this course follows suit with. The starter acts as the face of your course and sets the tone for a golfers round, having rude/clueless staff is not the hallmark of a top tier course, take it from someone thats played across the country and the globe. Its hard to recommend or come back and play a course where your treated rudely. Having played Esplanade at Azario the previous day, I had positive expectation for the course, needless to say, this was a let down. As for the course, it was in good conditions, the green speed was good, the layout was unoriginal and posed little challenge from the tips. At the end of the day, for those who have chosen to read this, flip a coin, your odds of picking the outcome are about equal with whether you will have a positive experience. My recommendation would be to play Esplanade at Azario or another course, there are plenty of course at this price point within the area that offer more original layout, more beautiful layout, and while its hard to find, better staff. This course could simply fire their poor staff, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

For a new course, it was in great condition. It will still require sometime to really grow in fully, but I wouldn't let that stop you from playing the course. Greens were a tad slow, but manageable. The design and layout of the course are beautiful. Pace of play wasn't fast, but was above average for a Florida course. Practice facilities are in excellent condition.