Best Golf Courses Near Ruidoso, NM

Ruidoso, New Mexico may be remote—the closest commercial airports are El Paso and Albuquerque, which are 150 miles away—but this resort town in the Sacramento Mountains—the traditional homeland of the Apache tribe—is a draw not only for skiers but for golfers. The Inn of the Mountain Gods golf course first put this beautiful area on the golf map with its Ted Robinson-designed layout that debuted in 1975. At the highly rated Links at Sierra Blanca, a Scottish-links-inspired front nine gives way to a back nine with playing corridors carved amidst pine trees. Cree Meadows Country Club, a sporty layout where you’ll find tight fairways and sloping greens, dates back to 1947. If you drive some 45 miles to Cloudcroft, you can play the much older, 1899-vintage 9-hole course at The Lodge Golf Resort & Spa. This exhilarating layout features huge elevation changes from its perch at 9,000 feet elevation. It is one of the highest elevation golf courses in the world. When golf is over, Lincoln National Forest surrounds Ruidoso and beckons outdoor enthusiasts to partake in hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing and more. Downtown Ruidoso features an array of attractive galleries, shops, and restaurants. A number of wineries offer tastings. Ruidoso also hosts a few wine festivals every year. Ruidoso Downs presents live horse racing from late May to early September, highlighted by the world’s richest quarter horse race. For a full-scale resort experience, head to The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino.