- "Great course"
I've played this course many times since I retired about 2 years ago.
Especially so since COVID.
This year, I decided to become a member.
As a Senior, I like this course because you really can't get into a lot of trouble.
There are some creek crossings but not too much water comes into play.
Not too many fairway bunkers and not many around the greens.
The fairways are wide open, it's well maintained and a great value overall.
They have a Starter, Friday to Sunday and the pace of play is well maintained.
On a busy day, they have a Marshal who will cruise the course to ensure pace of play. They are always willing to give you an update if it's going to be backed up
The greens are well maintained and they change the pin placements regulalrly.
It's always well staffed and the food is good with lots of options.
You can call ahead from the 9th tee and they will have your food ready at the turn. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
This was my first round back at Waterford in many years. I had heard good things about conditions recently and they were in fact pretty good, especially the greens. The Bermuda greens were all in good shape, pretty consistent and fairly quick. The size, slopes and undulations in the greens make them challenging to putt but in my experience they roll true.
Tee box conditions were just okay, fairways were fine but some had rough spots, bunkers were good, but oh boy, the rough! Perhaps it was because of the U.S. Open last week, but the Bermuda rough had not been mowed throughout the course, even around the greens, which made those shots very penalizing. In some cases, you had to walk right near your ball to find it because they tended to settle down in the grass to where you could barely see the top of the ball.
The one thing I remembered about this layout that is still true – it's very easy to lose golf balls here. Every hole feels tight and sloped, with trees, brush, creeks, rocks and other unplayable areas awaiting errant shots – many of which are blind. Several guys in my group hit seemingly good shots that bounded into trouble anyway. The "rub of the green" was evident throughout our round and it felt very British Open-esque.
There are some fun holes in this layout with risk-reward choices to make. So if you know the risk (because you've played here before or have a GPS phone app like TheGrint), then it's cool to try for the reward on some of those shots. The par 5's on the back 9 along with some of the short par 4's were my favorite holes.
Pace of play was not good. Our group had a 1:10 tee time and times were running about 10-15 minutes behind when we started. We finished just after 6:00, a shade under 5 hours.
While the price was great ($56) considering the condition of the greens and course overall, I won't be in a hurry to come back and play Waterford again. With so much trouble on every hole, it can be a frustrating round of golf. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
So this is like cheating because I'm partial to Waterford as this is my practice course and I walk it a lot, but as some one who has played this course over the years and seen it evolved, it's definitely one of my favorites. There has been a lot of $$$ invested in Waterford, especially over the past two years and it is in pristine condition (not that it wasn't before). Unfortunately they do not allow walking on the weekends anymore but it's a great layout with beautiful views on some holes of the Catawba river (hole # 2, par 5). Like I said I'm partial to this course as I know where to hit the ball to stay out of trouble but the course is always challenging! If you are in the Rock Hill area (right over the border) give this course a go you will not be disappointed. By the way the staff are aces in my book and Ty the GM is the man!!!! Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
I've been taking lessons from Brent who is the Pro here. This course was designed by Hale Irwin and was recently purchased by David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers.
Today, I was able to use my GolfNow discount app for a $35 afternoon tee time. It was so smooth and easy, I just gave my name and the tee time and he confirmed the time and that it was pre-paid.
The course is better than average. The fairways are in excellent condition as are most of the greens. There were several tee boxes that were a little ragged.
I really like the way the course played. The fairways are wide open and there is very little water that comes into play.
There is a driving range on-site as well as a putting area. A little interesting that there are no holes on the practice putting surface, they use markers with weighted bottoms that you can move around on the putting surface.
The carts were clean and worked well and there is plenty of parking.
It will be interesting to see what Mr Tepper does if anything to change or update this course. Read The Review
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- "Bad, stay away"
Let me start by saying that Waterford is one of my favorite golf courses in the Charlotte area. I have played this course several times this year and it has always been in good shape so I was shocked to see the condition of the greens and tee boxes. I am not sure what is going on with the greens but they were almost bare as were the tee boxes. Not sure if this is related to all the rain we have had in the past half year or what. The pace of play was 4 hours and 40 mins which is way too slow for me. When my threesome got to the twelth tee box there was the twosome that was ahead of us on the tee, in the fairway was a threesome and on the green was another threesome. I called the pro shop to ask for a ranger and was told no ranger was on duty that day due to only 45 golfers having signed up to play. I explained that all those 45 golfers were on the 12th hole at the same time. I had found out earlier that a tournament had been scheduled for May 4th but was canceled due to not enough golfers signing up. Maybe they saw the conditions of the greens and tee boxes? I hope the greens and tee boxes come back to their normally great condition as this is one of my favorite courses. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I played in our church outing and had a wonderful time. The course was in good condition (especially with all of the rain we have had). the staff as always was courteous,friendly, and attentive to our needs. We had such a great time we booked our 2016 event there! Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I played Waterford this morning (10/13/2015) for the first time and had a great time. The golf course was in good condition considering all the rain we have had. The staff was friendly and informative and the pro shop had a great selection of merchandise at reasonable prices. We played in a little over 4 hours, which was good considering carts were on the path today. I will definitely be back. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Greens 3.75/5 Full/ Miniverde,
Fairways 3.5/5 Mostly full, rough terrain in spots
Cart Paths 3.0/5 Rough in spots
Layout 3.25/5 Greenside bunkers too far from the greens on many holes. Some holes had a municipal/state park feel.
Rough 3.75/5 mostly full, some very tough lies
Drinking Water on the Course 5/5 nice amount of containers each full of cold water
Pace of Play 5/5 my 3some played in 3.5 hrs with nobody ahead of us.
Clubhouse/staff 5/5
First time I played this course, but apparently much improved over past few years. I would like to see some Clickitgolf.com coupons available for other than foursomes-only to provide better value. Read The Review
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- "Best of the best"
Wow did they fix this course up. Blown away. Great greens, fairways, bunkers, everything. Rough was penalizing and long. Forgot how tight this course was. Will be back A LOT. Click it deal for 4somes Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I know this course has been in trouble as of recent years from what i hear, but i wanted to write a review from a guy who has played all over the country and from the finest to the poorest types of courses. I moved here in 2011 and was a member at Piper Glen and now play out of Fort Mill.
I played this Waterford for the first time today.
This course is in great shape considering all the negative comments i have seen in the past.
It is a challenge and also score-able. I wouldn't say it is target golf at all. You maybe take the driver out of your hands twice. From the back tees, Maybe one. There are risk reward shots, so sometimes 3w or less is the smart play.
The greens were in good condition. It just rained, and punched two weeks ago. But the Mini-Verde surface rolled true. No ball marks and when freshly mowed... it was fun to putt.
The Fairways were in really good shape!!! the Rough is tough, mainly cause lack of water in the area. So the ball sits down in the rough more then you want. The bunkers i didnt have to play out of and see how they added new sand. They seemed fair and could use a little TLC around the edge of the bunkers.
Only one gimmicky hole but it played fair. I think it was 14 or something like that.
This course does not have 16-18 holes with water on them, maybe only a few that it really comes into play.
All and all, it was a good course, the rates and monthly rates are a super good deal if you live close. I like that they open at 7am and since no one wants to try this course out..... not many players out there during the week from what i saw.
I try to compare this course to fort mill... its tough. They are pretty even. I give fort mill better greens, but waterford, better fairways and fringe. I like both layouts.. either course is a good course. The tee boxes on two holes could of been better, but they will. If you are walking you have a couple decent walks to a could holes but not to bad. Terrain isn't bad if you enjoy a walk and exercise.
Good job waterford!!.. i hope you all find this helpful from a player whose review should matter ;) Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Played on Friday morning. These greens have always given me problems as I never seem to get the speed right. But the greens were fast and in good condition. They were receptive to a good shot. I will need to figure out mini verde as more courses go in that direction. Fairways were fine, tee boxes ok but some chewed up. Rough was right up to the fairway and was very difficult. Very thick. It also seems the fairways are narrower on this course. Overall the course is in good shape and I just need to figure out these greens and stay away from the rough. Read The Review
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- "Best of the best"
Best course around. It truly will challenge your golf skills. If you play well at waterford, it will improve your game. The greens, fairways and bunkers are amazing. When you're on the course, you feel like you're playing at a private course. I would recommend it to everyone. Read The Review
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- "Average"
It has been a while so we thought we would give this course another try. Got a good $28 click it deal and we played as a 3 some. Got to the course early. $6 for half a bucket of dirty not in best condition balls? Range is very beat up and very hard ground. Practice green in ok condition but expecting perfect for mini verde at this time of year. Greens were a little hit and miss. Some in good condition some having a few issues. I have never read and putted these greens well so maybe that had some impact today. Fairways in fairly nice condition for the most part. They had just mowed them so lots of mowed grass on the fairways. Not in bunkers but my playing partner said they were raked. Tee boxes ok, but not great. Rough was fairly thick and penal so keep it straight. Finally, it was fairly empty parking lot for a Friday morning. Cart girl was nice to see on a hot day on the back nine.
Overall, probably getting better and if you get a good price take a chance. Read The Review
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- "Bad, stay away"
This one is hard for me to write and a shame. I have always enjoyed this course BUT the current conditions are gross. The rough is 6-8" in spots, the fairways have crabgrass and look more like the rough does at other respectable golf courses, the bunkers are bad, the greens are suffering as well... For me, the most important aspect of a course is the greens. I can handle some other issues as long as the putting surfaces are true... The greens have weeds in areas, some areas are burnt out and fast, others are furry and slow.. no real consistency. I am not sure what is going on and why the course is suffering but save yourself the $30 and play elsewhere for the time being. Read The Review
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- "Below average"
This course was in rough, shape, no pun intended. The rough seemed to fade into the fairways. The course did not appear to have been recently mowed. The rough was absolutely terrible. Finding balls just off the fairway proved to be very difficult at times. The greens were hard and several were filled with little patches of significantly longer grass. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
The course is narrow in places and if you hit into the edge of the woods,forget it.No chance or finding a ball ,even two feet off the course.The rough was tall and thick some fairways were pretty tall also.The greens were in pretty good sharp and putted true.The "bunkers"were laughable.There was no sand and what sand was there, was hard packed.Most had standing water that was due to recent rains.I saw no one working on any bunkers.I am aware of the Carolina Trail issues but I was playing with someone from Columbia, and since I am from Concord, it was a"halfway "point course .We played as a twosome and had a couple foursomes in front of us and there was NO offer for us to play through. Read The Review
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- "Bad, stay away"
Well, with the nice weather everyone and their brother was out playing Saturday. I thought I would try Waterford since it was one of the only courses with room on their tee sheet. I called in the morning and there was a half hour frost delay but the pro said they should be caught up by our tee time at 11:18. We went off about 11:40 but ground to a halt by the second tee. Waited on every shot and every tee without a ranger in site. We abandoned the round after a 3 hour front nine for a rain check. Not sure what was going on out there - maybe they crammed too many groups out after the frost delay. Conditions could of been a factor. The new greens seemed to be extra hard and quick and the pin positions on a few holes were ridiculous. I have played other local courses with the same type of greens and they were not baked out like these were. Also, the rest of the course as in pretty dismal shape - from the unraked muddy bunkers to the torn up cart paths - pretty beaten up all around. It is really too bad, I thought I would play here a lot more after they replaced the greens but it looks like I will have to go elsewhere until I hear different. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Waterford could not have a made a smarter decision than when they decided to switch the greens to Mini Verde. These greens hold up well to the summer heat and almost always never leave divots. Reading putts is a little tricky and trying to check up on the high irons is almost impossible for the higher handicappers. But, course was in good shape and is definitely worth playing for how much they are charging. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Gave Waterford another try, and kept an open mind. Although I did not play well, the course is in pretty solid shape, but if your ball striking is off I would avoid this course.
I am going to plan to keep going back as a challenge to myself so I can put up a good score, because honestly it's a good course, you just need to know where to hit it.
Greens should be rolling nice in about two weeks, they had just been punched a week ago. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Great bang for your buck. 3rd time I've played this course and the conditions are the best that I have seen. Tee boxes, fairways and greens were all in good shape. Some bunkers need some work but luckily I was able to stay out of them. Place was packed because of the weekend weather and the $29 deal you can get online but it was worth it. If you haven't played here or played a few months ago I would recommend it. I was genuinely surprised by how nice the fairways have come in and greens are fast but look near perfect. Its nice to play a Carolina Trail course besides Birkdale and come away happy with the course conditions. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Greens in good condition (no issues from what I could see). Tee boxes, okay but worn due to amount of play they get. Fairways were good shape and sand was in okay shape at best. The 2nd cut was hard and excess roll in my opinion. Overall, its worth playing currently. Pace of play is slow but that's expected on a weekend. I give it a "B" grade. Read The Review
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- "Average"
Course is in solid shape, but hard as a rock. Hit some great drives, and irons only to see them take bounces like they hit the cart path.
Never been a huge fan of this course, but always like to mix it up a little, and it had been a few years since i played here.
Well going to be a few more years before i come back. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
This course is hard as a rock. Greens are in good condition but fast and hard. Fairways are covered in grass but nothing fluffy, very thin lies. Tee boxes were hard enough that you had to work to get your tees in the ground. Good drives will roll a long way thanks to the conditions. Not sure if the course can withstand the summer heat so I would recommend you play it now. Pace was good and starter and marshalls were real helpful with a troublesome group behind us. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I really enjoyed this course. Started at 1:30 and had the place to ourselves. This is not an overly tough course. The fairways were open and the greens were big. Some hills would give you the occasional blind tee shot or approach shot but that is only on a few holes. If you are hitting good off the tee you can have fun on this course. Greens were in great condition, fairways still dormant but in good condition. Hole 16 had a "bunker/natural area" behind the green that was awful. Not sure what is going on there but overall the course was nice. Hopefully the course holds up to the warm weather to come because I look forward to playing here again. $34 on clickit is a great price but I would pay $52 to play on the weekend. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
This golf course is in pretty good shape. Even though my score didn’t reflect it, it is one of the easier golf courses in the area. I got a couple complaints though. The sand traps are way low on sand. It rained two days ago and most of the sand traps are still full of water. The greens are hard as a rock. They had a number of their ground workers out on the course doing I don’t know what. I only caught one of the actually working once. Just about every hole on the front 9 they was wanting to drive down the hole we were playing. (They were just driving around and never seen them working). It was disturbing. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
Course is in good shape. The over-seeding on the tee boxes have helped as they were in dire need of repair. Fairway are showing signs of fall wear, but not too bad. I really like the new Mini-Verde greens as they don't mark up easy. But they are also very hard and you're lucky to stop any balls. Putting was really hard as the greens were cut down to almost nothing. It took us a good 9 holes to adjust to the speed. For the most part it felt like putting on glass. Pace of play wasn't too bad. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
For the $28 clickit coupon right now, you won't regret playing this course. Greens A, fairways B+ or A-, Rough is very thick and can easily lose balls in it, teeboxes B, and sand was only bad thing; it was as hard as a brick. All in all, a great course right now at a great price. Also, they have the new mini-verde greens. They are fast and smooth because they ain't marked up; however don't expect to spin the ball back a lot or stick it real close because they are firm as well (that is why they don't mark up.) I would recommend. Not quite as good as Springfield but pretty similar to Fort Mill condition-wise. Much better than the other Trail courses I have played. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Green were great. For some off reason we could never leave any pitch marks, but the ball still checked up pretty good. Tee boxes need some work and so do the fairways. Pin placement was tricky on more than a few holes. Marshals driving around the course course the whole day and everything seemed to be going smooth. I wish the roughs were not as rough as I did lose a couple of balls in the high rough. Definitely one of the best greens in the area. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Course in fairly good shape. Greens are perfect. Fast and in great shape. Some fairways and some tee boxes grass is burnt out and brown. Bring your hammer for some of the tee boxes, hard as a rock. Rough is really "Rough". Easy to lose balls in very thick rough on many of the holes. Some really tough pin placements on several holes today. Pace of play was good and we made it around in just under 4 hrs. Price included lunch so not a bad deal. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
Greens are in very good shape, fairways are average, rough is way too thick for fair play. Pace of Play was great, I didn't see anyone ahead or behind me until 15. Then it backed up but still wasn't too bad. Staff was friendly and wasn't very crowded at all. An overall good experience. Read The Review
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- "Worth playing"
We were the first group out on Saturday so did not have to worry about the pace of play. Nobody was pushing us so we played comfortably under 4 hours. Greens look like they were aerated a couple of weeks ago and were a bit bumpy. Also as the dew dried up it changed the pace of the greens through the holes. Also I did not find the greens had an even speed, maybe I was just putting bad. Roughs were cut a little high so errant tee shots were punished. Overall I enjoyed the round and for $32 it was a real bargain. Not sure why the Links courses got rid of the GPSs on their carts. It would be really nice if they put the course layouts on either the cards or by the tee box. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
I thought that I would give Waterford's new greens a spin - I had pretty low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised. The greens were in very nice shape with only a few isolated issues on one or two greens.
They also made some other changes while they were closed - resodding some teeing areas, putting down new mulch and clearing out wooded areas around the greens - I assume to increase sunlight and airflow around the new greens.
It is nice to have Waterford as an option on the south side of town again. Read The Review
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- "Great course"
1st time back to waterford since they put in the new bermuda greens and i liked them... in good shape already and once fully grown in should be nice. paid 25 bucks, teed off at 430 or so and got 13 holes in... if the rates stay down low this is a good value. they also took what used to be rough in between #2 and #3 fairways and turned it into one gigantic adjoining fairway... liked that change. Read The Review
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