Our Picks for The 10 Best Golf courses in New Mexico
1. Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club
Address: 1 Clubhouse Drive,Sandia Park,New Mexico 87047, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Public
Length of play: 27-hole course
Slope index: 138
Course Rating: 75.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,562
Scorecard: Link
Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club is the #1 Golf Course in New Mexico and was recently named “Top 10 Best Courses for the Money in America” by Links Magazine. It is home to one of the most beautiful, challenging and award-winning courses in the U.S. Designed by the Finger Dye Spann firm of architects. Paa-ko means the root of the cottonwood tree in ancient Pueblo.
2. Las Campanas (Sunset)
Address: 132 Clubhouse Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico (NM) 87506, USA
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 143
Course Rating: 75
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,517
Scorecard: Link
The Sunset layout is younger and shorter than the Sunrise course constructed in an out and back style with no return to the clubhouse after nine holes. Recognized as a Platinum Club of America for 2014-2020, the Club’s amenities include two championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses.
3. Las Campanas (Sunrise)
Address: 132 Clubhouse Dr, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, Santa Fe County
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 132
Course Rating: 73.9
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,626
Scorecard: Link
The Sunrise Golf Course, which opened in 1993, is Jack Nicklaus’ 100th career design and it is joined by a second 18-hole layout, the Sunset Course, opened in 2000. The courses feature five tee boxes at each hole to allow playability for a wide variety of golfers.
4. Black Mesa Golf Club
Address: 115 St Rd 399, Española, New Mexico 87532, Rio Arriba County
Type of field: Links / Desert
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 141
Course Rating: 73.9
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,307
Scorecard: Link
Laid out on the moonscape of Santa Clara Pueblo, it opened in 2003. Designed by Baxter Spann, this 18-hole course is ranked among America’s top 50 by Golf Magazine. You can enjoy a majestic desert golf experience on rolling fairways extending through mountainous valleys and dramatic sandstone ridges.
5. Pinon Hills Golf Course
Address: 2101 Sunrise Parkway, Farmington, New Mexico (NM) 87401, USA
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 140
Course Rating: 74.3
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,429
Scorecard: Link
This scenic course was named one of the 2020 Top Municipal Courses in the United States by Golf.Com and has been voted a top course in New Mexico by Golf Advisor and Golf Digest. Rated by Golfweek Magazine as one the best municipal golf courses in the United States year in and year out – for over 20 years.
6. University of New Mexico (Championship)
Address: 3601 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 134
Course Rating: 75.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,555
Scorecard: Link
Since it was officially opened in 1967, The Championship Golf Course has been one of the finest facilities of its kind nationwide. Architect Red Lawrence skillfully laid out the fairways back in 1967. Recognized by Golf Digest Magazine as one of the top-25 public courses in the country, and in January of 1991 Golfweek Magazine rated all public and private courses in the country by state.
7. Rainmakers Resort And Club
Address: 250 Rainmaker Drive, Alto, New Mexico (NM) 88312, USA
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 128
Course Rating: 73.8
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,101
Scorecard: Link
The heart of Rainmakers is the masterpiece of a championship golf course created by Robert Trent Jones II, one of the most celebrated architects in the golf world and opened in 2008. In 2019, Golfweek Magazine ranked it the #1 Residential Golf Course in New Mexico and #32 in America.
8. Rockwind Community Links
Address: 5001 Jack Gomez Blvd, Hobbs, NM 88240, USA
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 122
Course Rating: 70.7
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,639
Scorecard: Link
Opened in 2015, Rockwind Community Links, is a 27-hole golf facility owned and operated by the City of Hobbs. It replaced the former Ocotillo Park Golf Course which had been in use since the mid-1950s. The course is set into the classic Southeastern New Mexico landscape that combines turn of the century design details, strategic placement of hazards and water efficient, cool season blue grass fairways and roughs.
9. Sandia Golf Club
Address: 30 Rainbow Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico (NM) 87113, USA
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 125
Course Rating: 75.1
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,772
Scorecard: Link
The Sandia Golf Club was designed by Scott Miller. Opened in 2005, this Scott Miller designed Championship Par 72 course was developed by the Pueblo of Sandia as part of the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The course winds through the rugged high desert and offers dramatic views of the Sandia Mountains and the greater Albuquerque area.
10. Twin Warriors Golf Club
Address: 1300 Tuyuna Trail, Bernalillo, NM 87004, USA
Type of field: Desert
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 134
Course Rating: 75
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,485
Scorecard: Link
Designed by Gary Panks, this world class Golf Course features a major water exhibit surrounded by archeological sites, near areas dating back prior to the 1200’s with the majestic backdrop of the Sandia Mountains. Awarded Best of the City finalist/winner every year since 2011 by Albuquerque The Magazine readers and hosted the 2003 and 2009 PGA Professional National Championship.
