The Course At Wente Vineyards

my 13 year old boy and i visited the course at wente from australia. we hired a set of clubs for him (incomplete set) and there was no mention of a discount for a youth golfer. understandable, and at least acceptable.
upon being given our complete formal instructions to follow for our round (again understandable, and acceptable, but certainly starting to become more than posh) we were told that there would the option of ordering food at the 9^th tee as long as we made the turn by 5pm. we attempted to order at 4.40pm and were instructed that the service was no longer available, but as long as we got to the grill by 7pm, we’d be ok. (starting to be unacceptable)
after finishing the round, and getting to the grill at 6.50pm, we were again told that the kitchen was closed, even though we were told it would be available until 7pm. (now you’re just making jokes, right?)
after playing pasatiempo, spyglass, and quail lodge and having amazing levels of service (not to mention the quality of courses), it was a huge let down to introduce my boy to this venue. for what seems to be a 5-​star facility, the service just does not live up.

Nice layout and challenging. Lombard street is pretty cool. The back 9 holes can really bite you if you do not stay focused. Greens roll well and fairways are kept clean. It’s not cheap so not a every weekend course but once in a while treat. I’m a fan!

Wente is my favorite course in the tri valley. Beautiful layout thru the vineyards, very well maintained, the most comfortable golf carts with the touch screen GPS, and great staff and attendants. And if you play at twilight, at great value at $ 65.

If you’re looking for an easy course forget about it. It’s challenging and fun at the same time just outstanding place period

They have the most comfortable golf carts ever. Just as good as pelican hill golf carts in la! Lol anyways this course is beautiful. I tagged along (didn’t play here) and every hole seemed very challenging (which is a plus right). Staff is very accommodating and will come grab your bags for you. They have a small putting area and restaurant/​café with indoor and outdoor seating. The course seemed pretty long but I really enjoyed the scenery here. Maintained and up to par!

The Course at Wente Vineyards is one of my absolute favorite golf courses. The course is in great condition; the staff tends to everything; the views are gorgeous; The Grill serves lovely food and beverages. You are in for a treat!

Outstanding course, well maintained and a friendly staff. The greens and the sand traps were the best I’ve played in a while I recommend giving this course a shot.

Beautiful, well kept golf course! I loved the greens when I played here a couple of times last month, and Wente is probably my favorite golf course in the East Bay. Pricey, yes — but totally worth it.

Checking in at the pro shop was a snap. The driving range, chipping area and the putting green were open and in good shape. The course was in outstanding condition. It was a beautiful, dry, windless day and the play was wide open. Played fast followed by a great meal. Well worth the expense and depending on El Nino we will be back soon,

Great service from the moment you park your car. They are very informative about the course. Cart service is great and they offer to take your bags when you arrive. The course is difficult so beware. Make sure you practice on the range beforehand even though I didn’t get a chance to because it wasn’t open at the time. They have a golf cart path leading to the 10^th hole that is like the Lombard street for golf carts. The view was Amazing and the course was well kept.

Not a «happy camper» considering myself and 11 others had driven from as far as Sacramento to play the course last month only to find out the driving range was closed which prevented us from having an adequate warm up. A course of such stature and for the amount they charge for a green fee should not have their driving range closed. If so, the customer’s should be notified to allow time to make other arrangements based on the distance traveled.

I’ve played here several times and this last Sunday was the best I’ve seen the course. Greens were true and quick. Fairways were lush and perfect. I got the 2pm tee time which is twilight yet, you can finish. Well worth the money. 1^st tee shot is perched high above the fairway with a gorgeous view of Del Valle Dam and the valley below. The 2^nd hole is a drivable par 4 with risk left and right. You have to hit is dead straight. Otherwise lay up to 100 yards where the fairway gets the widest. 3^rd hole is a short but uphill par 3. Add 10 yards to the shot. I could go on… Each hole is unique and memorable with rewards if you can hit it straight and risk if you can’t. Vineyards guard both sides of numerous holes and constitute Out-​of-​bounds. But the fairways are generous, though be careful on #8 as the fairway tends to bounce balls into the left vineyards.
This is target golf. If you don’t like target golf, this course may change your mind. The general philosophy is to hit to the widest part of the fairway that Greg Norman (course architect) gives you. He isn’t stingy but he will punish wayward shots. For instance on #10, you can hit driver but you will have to be absolutely perfect. lay up to 100 yards and hit your favorite wedge instead of asking for perfection on a golf course. #13 is a downhill dogleg left par 4 to an elevated green. Aim at the far (2^nd) fairway bunker and hit less club. You don’t need to bomb it, just put it on the sweet spot Mr. Norman gives you. Make birdie or par with your 2^nd shot, not your driver. Each time I play here, I learn more and get better. Shot 75. Good luck and hit’em straight and far!

5 stars PLUS! One word A-​M-​A-​Z-​I-​N-​G! The course is well maintained during the drought. And those bunkers… white and fluffy. The real deal. I forgot what a «real bunker» is like. A delight to blast out of. The course is challenging, but fair. Play the right tee box and you won’t get beaten up. And if you do, take a moment to savor the breathtaking views of the vineyards and to remind yourself that you’re on a golf course and not at work. The weekday senior rates are greatly appreciated. Such a deal for a first class venue. The staff is A1+. Friendly and courteous. The marshals are the nicest. Tee times are generously spaced so that you can enjoy your round. What more can I say? Wente rocks!

Great course and especially great staff. Nothing was an issue to them. Felt like I we were welcome as soon as we drove in. First time at this course after playing other Greg Norman designs. Great use of the terrain and spectacular views from the tees. It’s challenging… get yourself out here! Make sure you have time to relax at the grill afterwards.

LOVED this course! This was my first time to play here and I would definitely go back. The greens are well kept. The staff is extremely helpful and the views from the Blue/​Gold Tee’s on 10 overlook the valley, course and vineyards! Truly Breathtaking! My father was visiting from KS and this was a special day for us all.
We had lunch and some wine after playing and really enjoyed the views, food, oh yeah-​the wine and talking about the good, bad and ugly shots of the day!
I can’t wait to play this course again!

I played this course with my mom a few weeks ago and was very impressed. The views were stunning and very private. Also the course is very manageable and could be finished quickly if there’s no wait time. I also loved the constant food service and attention that we got!
There’s a clubhouse in the beginning/​end of the course and another more fancier restaurant with a wine tasting room!

I have golfed here more than 5 times now and other than one time when it got crowded, it’s stellar, challenging golf.
Case in point had a 4:30 pm tee time over weekend and got paired with two golfers my age. Pleasant company. We finished our $ 65 round in exactly 4 hours. We played from the blues.
The course offers you many places to score well but with 4 or 5 difficult holes that force decisions and execution. 2 is a short par 4 with trees and sand traps. Hole 6 is an uphill par 4-​canyon affair that requires a precise approach to an elevated green. The course mixes flat and hilly holes.
Spectacular views from the climb up Lombard Street to the 10^th hole, where wind blows strong and hard. You can play 10 with a middle-​iron or have a go with a driver. The two toughest holes are back to back, 12 and 13, with 12 being an uphill downhill par 5 that requires a blind second shot and avoiding a pack of bunkers on the right. Thirteen has an elevated T box over a vineyard that doglegs left. If you have guts take it over the vines and fade it into the fairway. Or just plan on 3 orderly shots and hope for a par put.
Most holes on the flats let you pound with a driver. 18 features a pond leading up to the green and all along the right side. It’s golf at its best, challenging escapism.

Really love playing Wente and got to play there again this week. Course is always in great condition and all the times I’ve played, the pace is really good. Yes, some of the holes are a bit gimmicky but I think they’re fun and add character to the course so stuffy golf guy who criticizes the layout can kiss my balls (golf balls, get your mind out of the gutter).
Only one criticism but not worthy of taking away a star are the marshalls at Wente. The marshalls really need to relax and stay away more. We had two foursomes on a Wednesday, at least a full open hole behind our group, maybe two open holes, and at one point the marshall asked both of our foursomes to speed up. Pretty sure if it’s a Wednesday morning and you’ve never even seen the group behind you, you’re doing ok on pace. Relax Seargent… everything’s fine! Seems like the marshalls were always lurking somewhere trying to catch someone doing something. Bugged me. Otherwise, Wente is awesome and I’ll be back whenever i can!
Side note… we had a rattle snake sighting so watch your ass out there during the warm months! If you blast one into the weeds… let it go man, just let it go.

This course is so beautiful! Vineyards everywhere and I love the Lombard Street that they have on their course the views are magnificent especially on hole one when you look down onto the fairway and see more golf course in front of you!

It’s one of the best public courses in the East Bay– Tri Valley area for what that’s worth. Used to hold the mini tour event here that’s now played at TPC Stonebrae.
It’s a fun course that mixes in a few short holes that give you chances to really score. The first opens with an elevated tee shot that is a little reminiscent of Yocha DeHe Golf Club & the Riv down in So Cal. Other holes play alongside vineyards.
I like their 19^th hole, I’ve enjoyed post round libations and food there. On their website they comment that the clubhouse was designed to resemble edifices in the Australian Outback which I think is pretty cool (the golf course designer is an Aussie).
If there is a downside I’d say weekend rounds are pricey although I believe balls & cart might be included. Again it is one of the top public options in the area. There are deals especially if you can play Mon-​Thursday such as a winter rate & birthday deal if you bring a foursome. Costco also sold a package with another course that was reasonable too although you had to go to San Jose for the other round.
I do have to say that I think that the Lombard Street cart path is a little annoying. They may have had to build the path like that because the hill is too steep to build the path straight away but it screams gimmicky to me. It brings me to another downside of the course which is that it’s not a walking course because of steep terrain.
IMO Doak 6 – 7 especially if you just consider that East Bay is so so for golf options.