Golf may be enjoyed year around in Ruidoso. Drive a golf ball higher and further than you usually do in the thinner air at these high elevations. Even in the winter, unless a fresh snow storm has come through, most courses are open for play. Ruidoso is one of the few places in the country where you may ski at the higher elevations in the morning and then play 18 holes of golf in the afternoon of the same day. Use caution in the summer months when the clouds begin to rumble as lightning is a serious danger. Contact the courses individually for tee times and fees as the rates change with the time of day and year.
Miniature Golf:
Play miniature golf at a classic course alongside the Ruidoso River at Panorama Golf on Eagle Drive in midtown Ruidoso, or try the contemporary course at Funtrackers on the 700 block of Sudderth Drive, where you can also ride go-carts on 3 different tracks or play with water bumper-boats in their own pond.
Public Ruidoso Golf Courses:
The Links at Sierra Blanca
(575) 258-5330 or (800) 854-6571
Offers 18 holes covering 6757 yards only 2 miles from midtown. When you view the rolling terrain, it will be hard to believe that this land was previously the local airport with a long flat runway. This Scottish links type course was designed by senior tour pro, Jim Colbert, and was rated the 7th best course in New Mexico by Golf Digest. The rolling fairways are surrounded by mounds and hummocks, where accuracy will be rewarded and risky gambles can cost extra strokes.
Cree Meadows Golf Course
(575) 257-5815
A semi-private 18 hole course with 5,766 yards that is open to the public and located just a mile from downtown. This is the area’s oldest course with affordable, playable, and immaculately groomed fairways. Cree Meadows offers some of the best mountain views in the country. The tight fairways and small greens call for accurate shot making and a strong putter. A semi-private course, outside play is welcome. Reasonable green fees and preferred tee times are available at Cree Meadows year around. The tournament season begins in May. Over one-hundred teams test their golf skills at Cree Meadows. Experience breathtaking views of Sierra Blanca from the full service restaurant and lounge which will make your golf experience complete.
Inn of the Mountain Gods
(575) 464-7444 or (575) 464-7745
A spectacular public 18 hole course covering 6,834 yards at the completely rebuilt Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. The views are incredible with Lake Mescalero adjacent and 12,003 foot Sierra Blanca Peak hovering from above. This Ted Robinson design features an island fairway on the 10th hole and plenty of challenge throughout. When you finish your round, it is just a short walk to several different watering holes throughout the Inn or even try your luck at the casino.
Private Ruidoso Golf Courses:
Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club
(575) 336-4231
A private 18-hole-course for members and their guests only. Tall ponderosas flank the fairways and mountain views abound.
Kokopelli Golf Course
(575) 336-7843 x28
New in 1999, Kokopelli is an 18 hole executive golf course located just a mile further east on the same mesa as Alto Lakes Country Club. In order to try this course call and ask about a one time trial golf experience for potential club members Fees run about $125.
Public Golf Courses Near Ruidoso:
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
(575) 682-2098
Find in Cloudcroft New Mexico’s highest golf course which at 9,200 feet boasts to be the second highest in the world. It is just a 45 minute drive from Ruidoso through the beautiful countryside of the Mescalero Apache reservation to get there. Bring some extra balls as this 9-hole, 4,774 yard course is laid out among the pines and aspens with a lot of turns.
Carrizozo Municipal Golf Course
(575) 648-2451
Drive west through Nogal about 30 minutes to the all-season 9 hole course on the east side of Carizozo. The rates are low and traffic is light, so you can really relax and enjoy your game. This course is well maintained and it offers a rare par 6 hole covering 603 yards.
Desert Lakes Golf Course
(575) 437-0290
Just an hour’s drive away to the southwest is a great municipal 18 hole course in Alamogordo. The green fees are very inexpensive at this public course. At the lower elevations of the Tularosa Basin it is a sure thing for play throughout the year. This course is tucked into the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains that rise high on the east side. Enjoy a spectacular sunset after a late afternoon round.
New Mexico Military Institute
(575) 622-6033
To the east in Roswell just over an hour’s drive away on Hwy 70 is this 18 hole public course located near Spring River. The terrain is mostly flat and walkers are welcome with no pressure to hurry through your game. The low green fees will make you smile.
Ponderosa Pines Golf Course
(575) 682-2995
Also in the Cloudcroft area, actually nine miles southeast of town on Hwy 130, is this gorgeous mountain 9 hole course. Your hosts are PGA member Bill Gayso and his wife Mary. They have changed the layout recently and it will challenge your short game. The green fees are very reasonable. Elevations are high, so your ball will fly a little longer here.
Spring River Golf Course
(575)-622-9506
Find another great 18 hole municipal course in Roswell. It is beautifully maintained with well manicured greens. There is generally steady play here, so it is a good idea to call ahead for tee times. Lessons are available to improve your game.