Courtesy of the club
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
Patrick Koenig
Black Mesa Golf Club
Espanola, NM • Public
Black Mesa Golf Club
115 State Road 399
Espanola, NM 87532-3169
United States
Telephone
Overview
Black Mesa re-entered our ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses in our last edition and has improved its position this time. 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 $89 should be.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest Public: Ranked from 2007-2014, 2023 to current.
Highest ranking: 44th, 2007-2008.
2025-'26 ranking: 85th.
Best in State: Ranked in Top 5 in New Mexico from 2005-2016 & since 2019; Top 10 in 2017-2018.
Previous ranking: 4th.
2025-'26 ranking: 3rd.
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
“SO: interesting risk reward options off the tee as about half the holes have a narrow spot either defined by bunkers or desert that are quite penal. Additionally, players can optimize approach shot angles depending on pin positions to very undulating greens. After that, shot options are limited as the player really has to fly approach shots into each green given they are all elevated and protected in front by some type of penalty area (bunkers, desert, some water hazards). CH: This course features quite a few completely blind tee shots from the middle tees back. As players move forward to the two most forward sets of tees, the tee box positioning improves some visibility. Several of the blind shots are to quite narrow landing areas, as with number 10, so local knowledge of appropriate lines is imperative. I think the course utilizes blind shots too often when the hole would otherwise be just as interesting without that feature. Examples include: #1, 4 (partially blind par 3), 10, and 14 as the most egregious. Otherwise, players need accurate approach shots to very undulating greens that allow for little recovery. Greenside and fairway bunkers are very deep making them truly penalizing. However, many have been eliminated and replaced with grass bunkers that are easier for most players to navigate. LV: The course opens with two similar short par 4s with elevated narrow greens sloping dramatically from back to front, which seems redundant, but the course gets more interesting after that. The par 5s are all very different with some combination of shorter holes with serious risk-reward for those attempting to reach in 2 as well as longer holes where players have to execute each of their three shots well to play successfully into difficult, elevated greens. The par 3s are a good mix of challenging approach shots with easier green targets, overall, but more challenging green complexes once you get there. The par 4s are more of a mixed bag that seem to have a couple of templates that are repeated throughout the course with a few tweaks, like shorter holes with a blind tee shot and small greens, or longer holes with a blind landing spot, slight dog leg and very elevated greens. AE: Overall, this course is rough around the edges, but maintains a very natural desert feel with dirt cart paths that are mostly hidden or blend in with the desert landscape. Like many links courses, this one is routed through the sand and rock dunes providing beautiful framing of each hole and keeping each hole separate from the rest. Additionally, the course features significant elevation changes that show players incredible vistas of the northern New Mexico landscape. CO: The greens are generally very well maintained and roll nicely, but some of the green complexes appear to have shrunk over time from mowing practices. Fairways are not firm and a shaggy combination of bent and bluegrass. Tee boxes are also very shaggy, rough and not always level. The rough is generally manageable, but thicker in the grass bunkers as intended. The bunkers are incredibly thin with almost no sand and hardpan surfaces. CH: This is a truly beautiful setting for a golf course with vistas that show the amazing topography of this area for 50 miles in several directions. The routing through the rough, rolling desert landscape with no homes or other structures in sight is quite unique."
Read More2025
Review
“Wonderful course across the board. Scenic views are on the majority of every hole. Nearly every single tee shot requires strategic thinking in picking a line. Par 3s all downhill. Deep, punishing bunkers. Course is manageable, but will punish careless shots. Many greens are multi-tiered and require a premium approach shot to have a realistic chance at making birdie. Great routing through property. Conditioning is the only issue I see with the course- weeds, burn and dead spots. Would easily be in another elite level of comparable golf courses if it could improve."
Read More2025
Review
“Wonderful course across the board. Scenic views are on the majority of every hole. Nearly every single tee shot requires strategic thinking in picking a line. Par 3s all downhill. Deep, punishing bunkers. Course is manageable, but will punish careless shots. Many greens are multi-tiered and require a premium approach shot to have a realistic chance at making birdie. Great routing through property. Conditioning is the only issue I see with the course- weeds, burn and dead spots. Would easily be in another elite level of comparable golf courses if it could improve."
Read More2025
Review
“Play this if you get the chance, really helps if you are with someone who’s played it before. I wanted to go right back out. Bring a camera and a chin strap! Golf is fun!"
Read More2024
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
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