Ruidoso golf courses are a big draw when visiting the mountains of Southern New Mexico. You can enjoy your favorite sport while taking in the clean, clear mountain air and enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Fortunately, there are eight golf courses in Ruidoso and the surrounding area. Some on this list are private courses, but you may meet a member who invites you along to play, or you may be enticed to join . . . or even buy a house in a Ruidoso golf course community!
See home listings in beautiful Ruidoso here!
Golfers accustomed to playing the rather flat layouts prevalent in El Paso and much of Southern New Mexico will find the Ruidoso golf courses a refreshing break from the norm. While you line up your shots, you may be distracted by the awe-inspiring views of surrounding mountaintops, such as Sierra Blanca, verdant fairways, and native wildlife.
Because Ruidoso lies at an average altitude of 6,900 feet, winter may bring snow. But overall, you can enjoy Ruidoso golf courses all year round, through the four seasons. The average snowfall and the average low temperature both hover in the thirties.
Due to the altitude, the summer temperatures are lower than the surrounding desert, making summer play more enjoyable. Just be sure to allow yourself to acclimate to the altitude and drink plenty of water while you hit the links!
If you discover you’d enjoy living in Ruidoso full- or part-time, explore home listings here. You may find your dream country club home!
Let’s discover Ruidoso golf courses
Alto Lakes Golf & Country Club
This private country club now has two 18-hole championship golf courses for its members to enjoy: Alto Lakes and The Outlaw at Alto Lakes, located in Alto Golf Estates. Alto was designed by Milton Coggins, ASGCA, Pete Dye, ASGCA, and Robert Trent Jones, ASGCA, and opened in 1968. Designed by John LaFoy, ASGCA, the Outlaw opened in 2008. Make friends with a member and enjoy a day golfing in beautiful Alto.
Alto Lakes: One Country Club Drive, Alto; 575-336-4231
The Outlaw: 190 Lincoln Hills Dr. Alto; 800-841-0168
Cree Meadows Public Golf Course, Ruidoso
A stunning Ruidoso golf course, Cree Meadows is open to the public for affordable daily rates and residents can buy a membership at several different levels. Although the course itself can be challenging in terms of difficulty level, the terrain makes for a relatively easy walk.
A huge draw for golfers is the signature 17th hole: a 140-yard, par 3 requiring a tee shot over the water onto a small elevated green. While at the course, take some time to visit the lounge, restaurant, and pro shop loaded with everything you need, including equipment, attire, or some friendly advice before teeing off.
301 Country Club Dr., Ruidoso; 575-257-2733
Inn of the Mountain Gods Championship Golf Course, Mescalero
Don’t miss playing 18 holes at the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ championship golf course. This resort is owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache tribe and offers much to see and do before and after you play, including luxurious lodging and casino action.
Designed by Ted Robinson, the course features an island fairway as well as fast-breaking greens that are challenging to play. Golf Digest recently named Inn of the Mountain Golds number 23 on its list of the Top 40 Casino Golf Courses. Top100GolfCourses.com lists this course as number 15 in New Mexico.
287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero; 575-464-7945
Innsbrook Village Country Club & Resort, Ruidoso
This 9-hole Ruidoso golf course is for the exclusive use of those renting from Innsbrook Condos, and you can even rent one with a view of the golf course. Making the experience even more special is the fact that no tee times are required! Just grab your bag and head out of a round when it fits your vacation schedule.
146 Geneva Dr., Ruidoso; 877-733-6377

Kokopelli Golf Club, Alto
Most of the area’s golf courses are attached to private clubs or resorts. If you know anyone who belongs to the Kokopelli Golf Club in nearby Alto and looking to play a round that won’t take half a day to play, tee off on the 4,000-yard, par 63 executive course situated on a soaring mesa with canyon and mountain views. As PGA golf pro Kirk Taylor says, “It’s a fun and challenging course.”
1200 High Mesa Road, Alto; 575-336-1818
Rainmakers Resort and Golf Club, Alto
The private Robert Trent Jones II-designed course at the Rainmakers Resort and Golf Club is a picturesque, conservation-oriented, 18-hole layout surrounded by mountain views. It has been awarded Audubon Signature Sanctuary status. Even low handicappers will be challenged by the 7,000-plus yard course that features six sets of tee boxes for each hole and has been ranked the No. 1 residential golf course in New Mexico. It is ranked the seventh-best golf course in the state by Top100GolfCourses.com. The Rainmaker Golf Course truly marries beauty and brawn.
250 Rainmaker Dr., Alto; 575-336-7500

The Links at Sierra Blanca, Ruidoso
The Links at Sierra Blanca, a Scottish-style track converted from the old regional airport, is a tale of two nines, playing to a par 72. Dozens of mounds lend a true links feel to the front nine, while the holes on the back nine wind through the pines where elk herds roam.
Ranked #9 among New Mexico’s top courses by Golf Advisor, The Links at Sierra Blanca features a spacious practice facility and a course that is tough enough for accomplished golfers and forgiving enough for duffers.
105 Sierra Blanca Dr., Ruidoso; 575-258-5330.
Hopefully this introduction to Ruidoso golf courses has sparked a desire to pack up your clubs and head to the mountains. There’s plenty more to do in Ruidoso while you’re there. Find some ideas here!
Story by Rob McCorkle and Cheryl Fallstead.
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Posted by Ruidoso.com