New Mexico Trip (Albuquerque/Santa Fe)

Tipsy McHooker · July 12, 2016

Planning a trip aug 31st to sept 5th this year. Some of the proposed courses are Paa-Ko Ridge, Twin Warriors, Sandia, UNM, and Santa Ana in Albuquerque area. We are also planning a day or 2 in Santa Fe area and would play Black Mesa and Pueblo de Cochiti. Looking for current course conditions, recommendations for or against any of the courses listed. Stuff from locals like if a course is having money problems and has let the conditioning of course go downhill on a great layout etc. We are also always looking for recommendations on food and drink as well---Thanks--Tipsy

CDM · July 12, 2016

Will be in Santa Fe in less then two weeks during the middle of the week so thinking getting a tee time will be easy. Only there a couple of days and going to try and play Black Mesa and Towa Golf club (mainly since we are staying at Buffalo Thunder Hotel and I thought I might be able to get out solo the last morning there).

I would appreciate any feedback also on which courses are worth playing.

Edit: Cochiti is on the list but a further drive so not sure on it.

Tipsy McHooker · July 15, 2016

i have gotten word on black mesa that current conditioning is poor.

sabram · July 15, 2016

Will be in Santa Fe in less then two weeks during the middle of the week so thinking getting a tee time will be easy. Only there a couple of days and going to try and play Black Mesa and Towa Golf club (mainly since we are staying at Buffalo Thunder Hotel and I thought I might be able to get out solo the last morning there).

I would appreciate any feedback also on which courses are worth playing.

Black Mesa is a great layout. Conditioning has been poor or inconsistent for the last two years. It is still worth playing IMO.

If you are staying at the hotel at Towa, it is a no-brainer to play there. We played 9 holes each morning and zipped around the course to get back in time to have breakfast with our wives. I enjoyed playing Towa.

Here are links to photo tout=rs of Black Mesa and Towa.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157644669748170/ Towa photo tour

https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/sets/72157645070274382/ Black Mesa photo tour

Towa - Valley #7 par 3

Black Mesa #2 from blue tee

BryanFTW · July 16, 2016

Just played pakko ridge two days ago. It was absolutely stunning and worth the trip out. if you get to play 19-27 they are some of the hardest holes I have ever played. Ill try to get some pictures posted for you. I highly suggest you make it a must stop course.

Tipsy McHooker · July 18, 2016

Just played pakko ridge two days ago. It was absolutely stunning and worth the trip out. if you get to play 19-27 they are some of the hardest holes I have ever played. Ill try to get some pictures posted for you. I highly suggest you make it a must stop course.

We are playing Paa-ko day we arrive and day we leave. Twin Warriors, Sandia, Santa Ana and now pueblo De Cochiti will be the replacement for Black Mesa which is closer to Alb. than Black Mesa which is another bonus. Closer to our base of operations.

Any food and drink recommendations?

duffer987 · July 18, 2016

We went a few years ago now and played Black Mesa (yes not in great shape), Paa-Ko Ridge, and UNM-Championship course.

Not only is UNM conveniently beside the car rental return, but it is a really good old-ish school track. Quality-quick greens and a nice fairway/first cut/second cut progression to the rough. Not played the others on your list so cannot do a direct compare, but I think it's well worth a play.

If you like beer, La Cumbre brewery in Albuquerque makes for a good night. Check if they have a food truck there and you can make it a greasy dinner spot too. It's a bit out of the way, so would need to cab it or have a designated driver... or I guess just stop drinking after a few, but with all the options why would you want to :)

CDM · July 19, 2016

Will be in Santa Fe in less then two weeks during the middle of the week so thinking getting a tee time will be easy. Only there a couple of days and going to try and play Black Mesa and Towa Golf club (mainly since we are staying at Buffalo Thunder Hotel and I thought I might be able to get out solo the last morning there).

I would appreciate any feedback also on which courses are worth playing.

Black Mesa is a great layout. Conditioning has been poor or inconsistent for the last two years. It is still worth playing IMO.

If you are staying at the hotel at Towa, it is a no-brainer to play there. We played 9 holes each morning and zipped around the course to get back in time to have breakfast with our wives. I enjoyed playing Towa.

Here are links to photo tout=rs of Black Mesa and Towa.

https://www.flickr.c...57644669748170/ Towa photo tour

https://www.flickr.c...57645070274382/ Black Mesa photo tour

Towa - Valley #7 par 3

Black Mesa #2 from blue tee

Well set to be there next week. Black Mesa looks like a great layout but those photos in your link...wow the conditions do look poor. Towa looks in a lot better shape but it looks "bland" compared to Black Mesa. What to do what to do..... Leaning Towa / Chochiti

PinonMagnolia · July 21, 2016

Black Mesa is essentially done, which is sad because it was fun track to play.

Cochiti is a nice cheaper place to play. If you take what Cochiti gives you, low scores are out there. If you try to overpower the course expect some big numbers. Tends to be in good shape for a public course.

Twin is more expensive and much more difficult than Cochiti. Typically in good shape, but realize that it is in the desert. If you get in some rough patches, that just happens.

Santa Ana isn't worth playing, IMO. Neither is Sandia, they're both characterless courses that just get so much play. Think of the most played courses in your area and that is what you get at both of those places. They're overpriced for what you get.

PaaKo, as others have mentioned, is in incredible shape right now and the most difficult of the courses around here (UNM from the Lobo tees & Twin from the back are of comparable difficulty).

I'd say play 27 at Paako, 18 at UNM, 18 at Cochiti, and 18 at Twin, then go back to your favorite. Skip Towa, Black Mesa, Sandia, Santa Ana, and Isleta.

Tipsy McHooker · September 6, 2016

Black Mesa is essentially done, which is sad because it was fun track to play.

Cochiti is a nice cheaper place to play. If you take what Cochiti gives you, low scores are out there. If you try to overpower the course expect some big numbers. Tends to be in good shape for a public course.

Twin is more expensive and much more difficult than Cochiti. Typically in good shape, but realize that it is in the desert. If you get in some rough patches, that just happens.

Santa Ana isn't worth playing, IMO. Neither is Sandia, they're both characterless courses that just get so much play. Think of the most played courses in your area and that is what you get at both of those places. They're overpriced for what you get.

PaaKo, as others have mentioned, is in incredible shape right now and the most difficult of the courses around here (UNM from the Lobo tees & Twin from the back are of comparable difficulty).

I'd say play 27 at Paako, 18 at UNM, 18 at Cochiti, and 18 at Twin, then go back to your favorite. Skip Towa, Black Mesa, Sandia, Santa Ana, and Isleta.

Just got back and can't believe how underrated NM is for golf trips. No traffic/construction and perfect weather with no humidity. One day was 88 degrees and it felt like 78 to me. Paa-Ko, & Twin Warriors were absolutely incredible. Cochiti was a great course, my group enjoyed Sandia also--My only change would be to Play/switch to UNM course instead of Santa Ana. Santa Ana was kind of bland/dull and not really memorable. We played it because we got a free replay 36 holes for the price of 18. The newest 9 (Holes 19-27) at Paa-Ko is one of the best desert courses i've ever played. My group will be headed back next september to the land of enchantment again.