The Course At Wente Vineyards

Played last Sunday, and it was windy... the greens were almost completely healed from aeration and sanding, and in very good condition. now add that to a mountain style course that the nationwide tour use to play on and your in for a long day...
upon getting there the staff pampers you with service, carrying your clubs and attending to your every needs, everyone was great. the driving range was awesome, with new taloymade balls to hit, and the practice area was great too, the grill has a great breakfast, lunch, and drinks for afterwards or before your round.. PS, the cart girl rocks too... the course would be hard to walk for sure as it is very hilly with huge elevation changes. the fairways and landing areas are narrow and require good club mgmt for sure. add a 20+ mph wind to this and you have a Trouble with a capital T... the views from almost every hole were spectacular for sure, and don't forget to bring your camera. if you have never played here buy a yardage book for sure or have your skycaddie. I couldn't have guessed the yardages as the course with its angles makes them seem longer or shorter. if you just play the course and try not to be fancy you should be ok, but cutting corners or trying something you might not normally do will hurt you for the most part. the vineyard lines at least 1/2 the holes and look great but will cost you strokes if you land in them. if you have not played a mountain style course you will be in for a surprise. there are very few fairways that you can be right or left on and get away with playing your shots from. the course is truly a test of ones golf game. the overall experience will last you a lifetime, good or bad.... this is a must play course for sure when your in the area of Livermore,ca. also allow yourself some time to visit the winery too. add to that some great friends to play golf with and you have a memory that will last you a lifetime.
Wente Vineyards,
Smilin Steve

Great layout. Friendly staff. Course was in very good shape. Yardage book would help. I have played course a few times, and playing from the Black and Gold makes this an extremely challenging(but fair) course.

A designing masterpiece! With the wind 15-20 mph today, the course played very tricky. Club selection with the vertical changes is a huge challenge, but fun. A yardage book for first timers was a necessity.
All the holes presented immaculately with the greens the most impressive. Quick and firm with little to no ball marks on approaches.
Holes 9-14 were a survival exercise. All the par 3s were the favorites.
Played twilight rate on Sunday for $65 from 3:30 pm. No worries finishing. Excellent practice facility and friendly staff made the day worth a return.