Black Mesa Golf Club
Espanola, NM • Public
NO. 95 Escapist golf doesn’t have to cost a lot: Fees at Black Mesa in New Mexico are frequently less than $80. Photograph by Patrick Koeing
Overview
Black Mesa is back in our ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses for the first time since 2014. Though located not far from the town of Española, there is no development on or near the vast, high desert property. The Baxter Spann design feels worlds away, flowing through a Martian landscape of buttes, sagebrush dotted ridges and dry arroyos. If the idea of hitting shots through canyons, along bluffs and over rock outcroppings to blind targets isn’t enticing enough, the weekday green fee of $79 should be.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2007-2014, 2023-'24.
Highest ranking: 44th, 2007-2008.
Previous ranking: Not ranked 2015-'22.
Current ranking: 95th
Best in State: Ranked in Top 5 in New Mexico from 2005-2016 & since 2019; Top 10 in 2017-2018.
2023-'24 ranking (and previous): 4th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“The course played fast and firm and presented a variety of ways to play each hole. When taking more aggressive lines from the tees and fairways the course it played like target golf. The par 3's were of note, playing with extreme elevation changes and longer distances. The vistas surrounding the course are outstanding and certainly add to the overall experience of the course. "
Read More2022
Review
“Black Mesa is unique, quirky, and a lot of fun. It went through some hard years with conditioning, but as of 2020 is looking much better and is well worth a visit. One of the best values in the country."
Read More2020
Review
“Very demanding shot maker's course that requires you to keep your focus on every shot. Great use of the natural terrain and limestone buttes. Course was in good condition on date played in spite of a prolonged drought, but improving rapidly due to new water supply from nearby river. Highly memorable experience."
Read More2018
Review
“Good routing, good views, good shot values, good resistant to scoring, poor condition."
Read More2018
Readers
Collection of reviews from our readers
.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.406.271.suffix/1653909255033.jpeg)
There are no readers reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.