Nestled in between Nevada and Texas, New Mexico could be considered the jewel of the American Southwest. With some of the most gorgeous natural vistas, fascinating rock formations, and rich native heritage sites it’s no wonder tourists flock there every year. If you are looking for something to do in between visiting Carlsbad Caverns and Shiprock, you may be surprised that the state also has some of the best golfing available in the Southwest.

Black Mesa Golf Club

This club ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the country in numerous publications including Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, and was ranked #1 among Golf Digest’s “New Affordable Golf Courses. The course itself was designed by Baxter Spann and stands as an oasis, literally carved out of the surrounding desert rocks. Surrounded by red hills on all sides the course’s emerald green juxtaposes nicely with its surroundings, with a challenging array of unique holes. The course is surprisingly affordable considering how highly it is often placed on so many top golf spot lists, with rates running from $42 to $62, you can find it about a 30 minute drive North of Santa Fe, NM.

Pinon Hills Golf Course

Nestled among the rolling scenery of Farmington, New Mexico, Pinion Hills is a highly ranked course in its own right among such publications as Golf Week and Golf Digest. The course was designed by Ken Dye and is actually owned and operated by the City of Farmington. The course incorporates the surrounding terrain into its design, utilizing the sand and desert plant life to beautiful effect. The course fees are not bad either, coming in at $25 to $49.

Angel Fire Resort and Golf Course

A classic course originally built back in 1966. Built in the mountains of Angel Fire, New Mexico, the resort is at an elevation of around 8700 feet. The course offers some challenge but is also very fair to those who choose to play it. Lush green meadows, alpine forests and mountain streams dot this course’s landscape. Fees generally range from $30 to $65.

One of the more unexpected places to find a top ranked golf course is in the middle of Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Championship Course at the University of New Mexico.

Despite being managed by the local university the course ranks among Golf Digest’s Top 10 New Mexico Courses and has hosted a number of pros since its opening in 1967. Designed by Red Lawrence, the course utilizes the natural hilly landscape of Albuquerque and offers a very straight forward experience. Fees run between $20 and $65.

This is of course, just a sampling of what New Mexico has to offer for golfers looking for a unique experience. It seems like the courses are as varied as the landscape that makes New Mexico such a treasure for so many people.