ABQ Trip Review: 5 rounds/4 courses

[Seattle_Maslow]

Just got home from our annual summer trip to ABQ. I played Cochiti (twice), Black Mesa, Twin Warriors and Sandia. I didn't play Paako as a single due to the new $200 greens fee, but probably will when i go back with my friend in Oct. To answer the question of "where should I play in ABQ" I think the answer is "it depends." It depends on how far you want to drive, how much you want to spend and what kind of experience you want.

 

If you want a unique, visually stunning desert golf experience and don't mind driving 90 mins from ABQ (at 90 MPH mind you); Black Mesa. I hadn't played in years because the course supposedly went downhill, but I'm happy to say that's not the case. This course is all the way back conditions and experience wise. Greens were receptive, but fast and true. The layout is great and challenging (with a few blind shots) and the service was awesome. They came to meet me in my car in the parking lot. The lush green against the desert backdrop reminded me of Wolf Creek. I paid $75.

 

Cochiti is still probably my favorite for the playability and diversity of holes. It's always in very good (not great) condition and the price is an absolute steal ($60 riding with range balls). The drive out is beautiful and the course is so peaceful it's almost a magical feeling. Maybe a ding is the two very short par 3s, but I somehow always manage to screw them up anyway.

 

Twin Warriors is beautiful, diverse, playable, challenging and also in great condition. Perhaps the only downside is price. I paid $130 as a guest at Tamaya. However, it's only 15 mins from ABQ, so it depends on how much you value your time or like to drive.

 

Sandia is a course I hadn't played in about 6 years and asked myself why so long. Even though it was by far my worst round (golfed out, I think), it was still fun. This course gets a lot of grief because it's a resort, and there probably aren't many memorable holes, but it's still plenty tough, mostly due to green complexes. The tee boxes are immaculate and PGA tour quality and the greens were by far the fastest I played despite having been sanded recently. I paid $74 with cart and range. Big bonus that it's the closest of all of these courses and could play before flying home.

 

 

[farmer]

Friends of mine go there for a father-sons trip, and their experience mirrors yours. I believe Black Mesa lost their well and things went to pieces in a very short time. No water in a desert is a disaster.

[fore_life]

I’d like to add that two short par 3’s are a great design feature that are vastly underutilized, give me those all day over 230 yard 3’s

[teejaywhy]

Happy to hear good news about Black Mesa.

[fore_life]

> @teejaywhy said:

> Happy to hear good news about Black Mesa.

 

rrrrrrrrooooooaaaaadddd trip!!

[sway162]

Thanks for the reviews! I will keep this in mind next time I am down in ABQ. I was there last October for a conference and had some free time...decided to pay up and played Paako. Boy that course punishes you if you don't hit fairways but overall I was impressed. Yes, very pricey but the conditions were perfect and I would go back again.