WINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB
RUNDOWN: The rolling fields near Walla Walla, Washington hold a spectacular golf course! Driving by, you would never see the course as it sits down in the rolling hills and surrounding fields. However, each tee box reveals a wonderful new view to enjoy. The course sits so flawlessly within the terrain that it never feels forced. The routing was set up to take advantage of the topography of the land. It flows so well and provides a very enjoyable experience. The conditions are generally firm and fast as their course set up is likened to links style golf. This inland links course will provide you many opportunities to be creative throughout the routing. You will hit shots on this course that you are not used to at your home course. For me this really adds to the fun factor as you must think yourself around this course.
There are plenty of bunkers and other hazards that can capture your ball and cause your score to skyrocket. But as we arrived, the staff told us, "if you practice anything before your round, make sure it is your putting." They mentioned that the greens can be considered the most plentiful hazard on the course. With that being said, I never felt that the greens were unfair. They are set up to be firm, fast and difficult but they are very large and provide you with plenty opportunity to succeed out here. You will need to really focus on hitting solid approach shots so you can be on the proper sides of the hole. Getting too far off course will really test your abilities with lag putting.
The course was absolutely pristine for us and played amazingly smooth! The staff was welcoming, friendly and very helpful. If I could have this course as my home course then I would be a happy man. I will have to settle with the 8 hour drive from Pocatello though, and I will gladly drive that if this is my destination!
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Dan Hixson and opened in 2009.
Public Course.
Rates range from $55 in the offseason to $150 in peak season.
5 sets of tees range from 5,105 to 7,600 yards.
https://www.winevalleygolfclub.com
877-333-9842 176 Wine Valley Road, Walla Walla, Washington 99362
There are plenty of bunkers and other hazards that can capture your ball and cause your score to skyrocket. But as we arrived, the staff told us, "if you practice anything before your round, make sure it is your putting." They mentioned that the greens can be considered the most plentiful hazard on the course. With that being said, I never felt that the greens were unfair. They are set up to be firm, fast and difficult but they are very large and provide you with plenty opportunity to succeed out here. You will need to really focus on hitting solid approach shots so you can be on the proper sides of the hole. Getting too far off course will really test your abilities with lag putting.
The course was absolutely pristine for us and played amazingly smooth! The staff was welcoming, friendly and very helpful. If I could have this course as my home course then I would be a happy man. I will have to settle with the 8 hour drive from Pocatello though, and I will gladly drive that if this is my destination!
COURSE INFO AND DIRECTIONS
Designed by Dan Hixson and opened in 2009.
Public Course.
Rates range from $55 in the offseason to $150 in peak season.
5 sets of tees range from 5,105 to 7,600 yards.
https://www.winevalleygolfclub.com
877-333-9842 176 Wine Valley Road, Walla Walla, Washington 99362
REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS
Hole 3 Par 5 - 575 Yards
|
|
From the tee box you will not be awarded much of a view of the hole. You will see the bunkers that are in view and the fairway that drops off on the right side, but that is about it. The bunkers are placed strategically and definitely make you overthink your tee shot. There is plenty of room off the tee unless you get caught up in the trouble ahead. If you flare your shot to the right you can get caught up in the long stuff, which could ultimately lead to you hitting 3 from the tee. You have much more room on the left, but your shot into this green will become much more difficult. The long approach shot will be nearly impossible from the left, unless you hit the perfect right to left shot. The water on the left will catch anything pulled that direction. The green sits elevated above the fairway slightly, with a sever drop on the right side. Anything down there will prove to be a tough up and down to this quick green. Birdie is definitely possible on this hole, but a high score is out there as well.
Hole 5 Par 4 - 515 Yards
|
|
Here is my favorite par 4 on the course! The hole just seemed to fit my eye and after playing it twice I ended up walking away 1 under. The bunker that you see on the left by the tee box runs the entire length of the hole. It crosses through the fairway as it leads to the right side of the green and is in play the whole time. The fairway is elevated on the right side and slopes hard from right to left. If you can play a shot from right to left then you can expect quite a bit of roll here! My draw off the tee, instead of the solid duck hook of holes past, lead to my only 300 plus yard drive of the day. The approach shot here is to be played to the left so you can avoid the bunker on the right. Large hills and undulations on the green are the real hazard though! I put my approach shot to about 8 feet and walked away with my first birdie of the round thus far.
Hole 6 Par 3 - 210 Yards
|
The par 3 6th holes is one of the most picturesque holes on the course. The distance may lead you to believe your are in for one of the more difficult holes, but generally you aren't. Your main focus is to not bleed your shot way to the right and into the water or large bunkers next to the green. Anything left will feed down a large hill and onto the putting surface. I pulled my shot well left and thought I would be in trouble. However, as I watched the green I quickly saw my ball come back into view and work towards the pin. The green is quick and undulating, so birdie will be tough, but par is very doable if you keep to the left side.
|
Hole 9 Par 4 - 480 Yards
I would describe number 9 as an all around enjoyable hole. Looking from the tee you can't help but gain some confidence. The landing area seems massive as the fairway rises up to a plateau before falling back down towards the putting surface. It is time to grab the big stick and grip it and rip it! The only issue off the tee is a large bunker down the left side of the fairway. Keep it out of there and you should have a great angle into this green. While I wish I could say we all bombed it off the tee, we did not. Kevin hit one of his poorer drives of the round and it left him about 235 from the pin. He pulled out his 5 wood and with a confident swing and a Tiger like club twirl, ended up hitting it to about 6 feet in route to an easy birdie! The water on the right is in play, but it takes a decent mistake or a double cross to really end up in it. The green is large and aiming to the left side will provide ample space to this welcoming green. Like all other greens though, there is some movement and the speed can kick your trash if you are not careful.
Hole 11 Par 3 - 180 Yards
11th hole with holes 12 and 15 in the background.
Here is a fun little one shotter early on in the back nine. It sits right after one of the longest holes on the course, so it is a chance to take a breather and hit a lofted iron close. The large bunker that fronts the green on the right side can be a real stickler to your chances at a good score. Take enough club to clear it and put a good swing on the ball and you should be fine though. Anything right will work down a large hill towards the putting surface while the left side works away. Overall this is a great little hole that provides some enjoyment after a brutal par 5!
Hole 18 Par 5 - 585 Yards
Welcome to the last test on this beautiful and difficult course. This is a stout par 5 that can bring you to your knees if you are not careful or it can add that last sweet birdie to your round. Once again, off the tee, you are welcomed with a very generous landing area. If you get a hold of the ball then the bunkers on the left and right can pinch the fairway down a bit. If you bomb the ball and go for the green in two, get ready for a difficult approach shot! There are bunkers in the fairway that will catch anything you are trying to run up to the putting surface. If you are clearing those then you have to deal with strategic bunkering on the left, front and right sides of this green. You have plenty of room to fly the green as it is a very deep putting surface that can hold a variety of shots. The green speed will test you still, but you can walk away on a high point. Once leaving the green you will want to re-tee on number 1! The course is very enjoyable and tests you in all facets of the game. I can't wait to get back here!