Waterford Golf Club Offers 27 Holes, Three Distinct Nines in Venice

By Scott Dolan

Waterford Golf Club is the kind of place that reminds you golf is supposed to be fun — even when your scorecard says otherwise. Tucked into Venice, this semi-private club features 27 holes designed by Ted McAnlis, with three distinct nines: Turnberry, Gleneagles and Sawgrass. The beauty of Waterford is that players can mix and match the courses, creating three different 18-hole experiences. Around here, commitment issues are not a problem because you never have to choose just one nine.

Each course has its own personality, but they all share one thing in common: water is always in play. Rolling fairways, undulating greens, strategically placed hazards and narrow landing areas mean this is not a course where you can simply grip it and rip it. Waterford rewards smart shots, good course management and maybe a little luck when that third ball somehow skips across the pond and stays dry.

Turnberry is known for being scenic but sneaky, with water wrapping around fairways and greens just waiting to ruin your best drive of the day. Sawgrass brings tighter fairways and plenty of opportunities to test how attached you really are to your golf balls. Gleneagles rounds things out with classic Florida golf vibes, natural landscaping and just enough challenge to keep players humble. In other words, Waterford is the kind of place where you come for birdies and leave with stories.

One of the best things about Waterford is that it feels welcoming whether you are a seasoned golfer or someone whose main talent is driving the cart. With five sets of tees, players of all skill levels can find a way to enjoy the course without feeling completely overmatched before they even tee off. There is also an aqua driving range, putting green, clubhouse and practice facilities to help sharpen your game before heading out onto the course.

While golf is the star of the show, the surrounding Waterford community adds to the charm with beautiful homes, scenic lakes, tennis courts, trails and a pool. But let’s be honest — when you live next to 27 holes of golf, your biggest daily decision is probably whether today feels more like Turnberry, Gleneagles or Sawgrass. Now that is what I call staying above par.