Paako Ridge, designed by Ken Dye in 2000 and expanded to 27 holes in 2005, is the top-rated Golfweek’s Best public-access golf course in New Mexico, providing players a perfect opportunity to blast long drives across a high desert layout.
That’s a good thing, because even though Paako Ridge is situated in thin air at 6,500 feet of elevation, the main 18-hole layout can be stretched to 7,562 yards. And besides being No. 1 in the state, Paako Ridge ties for No. 126 for all modern courses built in the U.S. since 1960.
Golfweek’s Best offers many lists of course rankings, with that of top public-access courses in each state among the most popular. All the courses on this list allow public access in some fashion, be it standard daily green fees, through a resort or by staying at an affiliated hotel. If there’s a will, there’s a tee time.
Also popular are the Golfweek’s Best rankings of top private courses in each state, and that list for New Mexico’s private offerings is likewise included below.
MORE: Best Modern | Best Classic | Top 200 Resort | Top 200 Residential | Top 100 Best You Can Play
(m): Modern course, built in or after 1960
(c): Classic course, built before 1960
Note: If there is a number in the parenthesis with the m or c, that indicates where that course ranks among Golfweek’s Best top 200 modern or classic courses.
* New to or returning to list
Best public-access courses in New Mexico in 2022
1. Paako Ridge
Sandia Park (T126m)
2. Red Hawk
Las Cruces (m)
3. University of New Mexico (Championship)
Albuquerque (m)
4. Cochiti GC
Cochiti Lake (m)
5. Twin Warriors
Santa Ana Pueblo (m)
6. Black Mesa
Espanola (m)
7. Piñon Hills
Farmington (m)
8. Sandia
Albuquerque (m)
9. Inn of the Mountain Gods
Mescalero (m)
10. Sonoma Ranch
Las Cruces (m)
Best private courses in New Mexico in 2022
1. Rainmakers
Alto (m)
2. Las Campanas (Sunset)
Santa Fe (m)
3. Las Campanas (Sunrise)
Santa Fe (m)
4. Four Hills
Albuquerque (m)
5. Albuquerque CC
Albuquerque (c)
