Albuquerque & Santa Fe

[Guia]

I agree, Sandia has no personality, Isleta is passable and not a lot to look at.

[tesuquegolfer]

This pic was taken at Santa Ana in Bernalillo, about 15 miles north of ABQ. It is that time of year so don't go into the desert without a club. We usually play the desert as a lateral as some people don't like to go too far into the desert. A Pro V1 suddenly becomes very cheap when you have seen or heard a rattler!

 

[fore_life]

Holy hell!

[Guia]

I play Santa Ana 3 times a week and never heard about this picture. Bye the way Santa Ana has excellent fairways and greens. I am going to share this picture with my playing group, so they will know not to bring their pet rabbits.

[Reidman]

Way cool....someone needs to photoshop in a Santa Ana logo ball.....anywhere in the dirt will work fine.

[ws6]

I used to mountain bike on the Paa-ko side of the Sandias. I really miss the food there, but not the snakes.

[pdaero]

I'm making a road trip up to ABQ with my dad (second time we've done this), and I'm really looking forward to playing Paa Ko again and enjoying the scenery and food around town. Such a fun and easygoing place to be!

[Monday]

Playing Paa-Ko next week with my dad too, can't wait to play it. Sierra Del Rio down near T or C the week after. Should be a fun couple weeks.

[Monday]

This pic was taken at Santa Ana in Bernalillo, about 15 miles north of ABQ. It is that time of year so don't go into the desert without a club. We usually play the desert as a lateral as some people don't like to go too far into the desert. A Pro V1 suddenly becomes very cheap when you have seen or heard a rattler!

 

 

Oh, and this picture is amazing!

[Reidman]

just got this pic from a buddy....eerily similar to the New Mexico snake....but just a bit bigger....because after all...it is Texas.

[Seattle_Maslow]

I played all of the courses from the OP last year and played most again this year on the annual summer visit to the inlaws: Cochiti (45 holes), Sandia, Paako, Twin Warriors (36), Black Mesa (didn't play Towa or UNM this year). I think ABQ has some awesome golf that's very affordable.

I was a 13 when I started the trip and finished a 10 thanks to 77 at Sandia, 79 at Twin and a 79 at Cochiti, so I played well most of the places.

If I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably say Twin Warriors, although I'm sure most would say Paako. I realized at the end of my first round there that I had literally used every club in the bag, which I think says a lot about the design. The service there is great--great practice facility, nice pro shop and it's not too far of a hike from ABQ.

The best conditioned place was Sandia, which was Troon-like, and I disagree that it's got no character. Sure, it has massively-wide fairways, but things get interesting at the greens and the par 5s are challenging. Great practice facility, $45 Tuesday twilight, and they gave me 2 free rounds for friending them on Facebook (can't beat that).


Cochiti is absolutely a hidden gem. It was the next best conditioned place I played, even over Paako. I love the fact that there are no houses and it has a bit of a family feel to it. The practice area is a bit strange with a downhill range and old range balls, but it's enough. The only thing that's strange about the layout is the short par 3s (from the blues). It's weird to hit GW on a couple holes, but easy birdie/pars look good on the card. Also, the $41 Monday rate is a steal (although it was only $31 last summer).

Black Mesa disappointed me this year. First, we had a 7 a.m. tee time and they barely opened the golf shop by 6:40, so it was a rush rush to hit some balls and get to the first tee (although there was no starter at this point either). The greens were in great shape, but that was about it. I also now think some of the fairways are too tricked up--shots dead down the middle shouldn't be punished and at BM they sometimes are.

The best part of the whole thing is I played with great folks and made some friends who I'll stay in touch with. Can't say that happens too often here in Seattle, unfortunately.

[DeNinny]

[quote name='Seattle_Maslow' timestamp='1347148551' post='5609071']
The best conditioned place was Sandia, which was Troon-like, and I disagree that it's got no character. Sure, it has massively-wide fairways, but things get interesting at the greens and the par 5s are challenging. Great practice facility, $45 Tuesday twilight, and they gave me 2 free rounds for friending them on Facebook (can't beat that).


Cochiti is absolutely a hidden gem. It was the next best conditioned place I played, even over Paako. I love the fact that there are no houses and it has a bit of a family feel to it. The practice area is a bit strange with a downhill range and old range balls, but it's enough. The only thing that's strange about the layout is the short par 3s (from the blues). It's weird to hit GW on a couple holes, but easy birdie/pars look good on the card. Also, the $41 Monday rate is a steal (although it was only $31 last summer).
[/quote]

I agree completely with both of these points. Sandia gets a bad rap and I think it is a fine course. Maybe it's the price for what you get... Cochiti is like a poor man's Paako. Great course at an awesome price point.

[Will Z]

Paa-Ko is amazing. Cheap beer, unlimited range balls, and I saw a tarantula the size of my hand on the fairway. Also, [b]you can purchase gift certificates at Costco in ABQ. For $80 you get a $100 certificate you can spend on greens fees and in the clubhouse! (Out of state memberships are accepted) [/b]

[teejaywhy]

[quote name='Seattle_Maslow' timestamp='1347148551' post='5609071']
...shots dead down the middle shouldn't be punished...
[/quote]

Unless of course, the correct shot is not dead down the middle.

[ws6]

[quote name='Will Z' timestamp='1347645498' post='5640091']
Paa-Ko is amazing. Cheap beer, unlimited range balls, and I saw a tarantula the size of my hand on the fairway. Also, [b]you can purchase gift certificates at Costco in ABQ. For $80 you get a $100 certificate you can spend on greens fees and in the clubhouse! (Out of state memberships are accepted) [/b]
[/quote]

While you are at Costco, pick up some Sadie's salsa.

[endurancechiro]

I'll second the UNM course, lots of fun there. Another favorite of mine is 4 hills CC. It's a former PGA circuit course, well maintained and provides a pretty good challenge, especially around the greens...

[fore_life]

Is 4 hills open to public play for under $100 now haha

[Guia]

Both of the Rattlesnake pictures are of the same Rattler. The pictures were taken at Twin Warriors, which is the sister course at the Santa Ana Pueblo.