Was very much looking forward to playing Black Mesa. I kinda knew what to expect, but even so, there were a number of blind shots which were totally unexpected. The course is visually stunning, and ... Continue »

Was very much looking forward to playing Black Mesa. I kinda knew what to expect, but even so, there were a number of blind shots which were totally unexpected. The course is visually stunning, and due to a heavy rain storm yesterday afternoon, (First rain here in 56 days I'm told) The course had a number of washed out areas and all the walks up to tee boxes and down to the greens were rather muddy. I could describe conditons, but Keith's review from May 2012 is right on the money. The gravel cart paths and gas carts were very annoying. While I did enjoy the course, frankly it's not my type course. Greens were a bit too severe and without any local knowledge, very tough to score on. That coupled with all the blind shots and need for "local knowledge" made for a tough round. Staff was fantastic ! Allowed us out early and we zipped around in under 3 hours, which for this course is good time. I highly recommend playing here, it's affordable, beautiful, and will test your golf game. ( Played the blue tees at 6750 which provides much more memorable views than the white tees.

Played here Sept 22 and am never disappointed in this course. Always rated in the top 100 courses in Golf Digest and you only need to play it once to understand why. They just had done the greens a fe... Continue »

Played here Sept 22 and am never disappointed in this course. Always rated in the top 100 courses in Golf Digest and you only need to play it once to understand why. They just had done the greens a few weeks earlier and we knew that from the GK alerts (thx JK) so we were expecting slower than average but we got good but not excellent. That was the only area that can be exposed and if they had been excellent, who knows how fast they would have been. Fairways, greens and bunkers all well maintained. Beautiful designed golf course in and through the hills of NM. Pictures and words do not do it justice. You have to play it to enjoy it for yourself. 7307 from the tips and be careful you do not fall off the ledge of the tee box looking at the views before you tee off. Put this one on your bucket list for sure.

Black Mesa Golf Club Review
Albuquerque New Mexico Golf Course Review

This course was very different than I expected, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not sure if it's still somewhat "off season" here or if they purposely changed the look of the course, but i... Continue »

This course was very different than I expected, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not sure if it's still somewhat "off season" here or if they purposely changed the look of the course, but it was very different than what you see on their website. Obviously any site will feature lush course pictures in optimal conditions, lighting, etc.

The course is VERY rugged, which I actually enjoyed a lot. It reminded me A LOT of the Bandon Dunes courses, just built in desert dunes instead of oceanfront dunes. From the bunkers to the native grasses and desert areas surrounding each hole, the course just looks rough around the edges. Again, I am not sure if this is by design, but I absolutely loved it. The cart paths (and road in to the clubhouse) are all dirt/gravel. The carts are slow, gas-powered beasts. The holes are gnarly and there are a lot of uncomfortable shots. Blind shots, odd angles, greens with crazy undulation, etc. From the tips, this course plays at over 7,300 yards--and it's definitely not a "grip it and rip it course" as you have to hit your spots. I can't imagine playing it from there as the blue tees were more than enough for me at over 6,700.

I won't speak too much about course conditions. It's not an "immaculate" resort-looking course (at least not right now). It's a rough and tumble course out in the middle of nowhere that is equally thrilling and punishing. I did find the greens to be very nice. Soft and smooth. Maybe a bit slow, but not bad. Whether or not the rough-hewn look is intentional, I am very glad I played it like it was today. A completely different golf experience, but probably not for everyone.

It also helped that I played by myself and got through in under three hours. Ran into a couple of groups out there, but they all let me play through.

I'll post pictures here on GK when I get back home...

Black Mesa Golf Club Review
Albuquerque New Mexico Golf Course Review

Played Oct 4. Course north of Santa Fe, quite a ways from Albuquerque. Storm came in so we only finished 9 holes. Found the course to be very unusual. What a unique property, sort of like a mini badla... Continue »

Played Oct 4. Course north of Santa Fe, quite a ways from Albuquerque. Storm came in so we only finished 9 holes. Found the course to be very unusual. What a unique property, sort of like a mini badlands. Architect was Robert Baxter Spann, I'm not familiar with him but I will be looking for more of his courses. An outstanding layout, some of the holes I will never forget. Desert course with great views, was in excellent shape. Because of storm didn't get to play some of the more famous courses in NM. But next time here will definitively make the trip back here.

Black Mesa Golf Course Review
New Mexico Golf Course Reviews