Golf Courses Near Ruidoso, NM

Perched in the Sacramento Mountains, Ruidoso is a popular tourist destination in southern New Mexico. This village of about 9,000 is home to Ski Apache, the southernmost ski resort in the U.S. If you are looking for a tee time, the Inn of the Mountain Gods golf course has a national reputation thanks to its strategic design, collection of par threes, island fairway, and five lake-bound holes, all framed by towering 10,000-foot mountains. The Links at Sierra Blanca, one of New Mexico’s finest public courses, features a links-style front nine, a tree-lined back nine, and fabulous panoramic views. Cree Meadows Country Club, which dates back to 1947, is a layout with narrow, tree-lined fairways and quick, subtly sloped greens. For a neat experience, the 9-hole course at Lodge Golf Course in Cloudcroft dates back to 1899 and boasts big-drop tee shots at 9,000 feet elevation. At one time it was North America’s highest golf course.

Ruidoso is a beautiful mountain town where you may be able to ski in the morning and play golf in the afternoon. In summer, the population of this remote outpost in the homeland of the Apache tribe swells with tourists who enjoy the idyllic weather that comes with its lofty setting. Ruidoso, which is also a top second home and retirement destination, always seems to be hosting a festival or an outdoor event. Favorite activities include wine touring, horse races at Ruidoso Downs—home of the world’s richest quarter horse race—and casino gambling. The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino is an entertainment hub. Of course, Ruidoso also presents endless opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing and innumerable other outdoor pursuits.