Santa Claran Hotel & Casino

I rated this average, only because of condition. Otherwise it could be excellent. Black Mesa is just off the highway near Espanola. It's a New Mexico desert type course. I played in early June, so it was hot but not humid. It's a challenging course with lots of changes in elevation and some blind shots. Not a lot of water. No surprise there. As others have said, the fairways and greens have many bare spots. The cart paths are dirt and in some cases, if you don't know the course, you need to think about where your going. There were also some very steep ups and downs on the cart path. Not much signage to point the way. That being said, the scenery was stunning, especially on the back nine, and the greens, aside from bare spots, were pretty good. It's the kind of course, if your visiting, you have to play at least once. A pro at another course said management had just changed hands, so maybe the condition will improve over time.

The course winds through desert canyons creating some interesting views.
Unfortunatley, the fairways had some major issues with spotty dead grass. They also looked somewhat dry.
The greens also had some dead areas and were generally bumpy.
One green was very wet as the sprinklers were turned on just after our approach shots were made. Middle of the day sprinkler test? Saved me from another 3 putt.
Hadn't played the course in years so I don't know if the fairway conditions are unique to this golf season. Looks like a grub infestation. Hopefully it can recover soon.

Dusty dirt road entry. Dusty dirt cart paths. 10-25 mph winds made it even dustier and more challenging. Landing spots small esp for big hitters. Cart GPS excellent to help keep you safe if you can hit what it helps you figure out. Amazing success carving this beautiful course into the rocks, hills, gullies, gulches, ravines, and sand. Difficult (esp for bad knees and hips) hill walks to/from nearly every green. All in all a great find thanks to golfnow.com.

VERY difficult course!
Add 15 strokes for difficulty
Add 15 strokes for the terrible course conditions.
50% of the grass was "dead", on the Greens AND Fairways
There are a BILLION dandelions on this course!
REALLY?!? You can't spray for dandelions?!?!
TIGHT landing area's, often aiming at a Flag atop a dirt hill. Lot's of blind shots!
THIS COURSE IS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE, and won't be ready until AT LEAST mid-July.

Wow! This is a great venue for the good golfer...Spectacularly laid out holes requires excellent shot-making skills...Condition of the course not so hot because of the winter...Probably will be much better by June 1...I would definitely play this course again as it is challenging and "it looks so good to the eye"!

My wife and I are on a cross country bucket list trip and stopped for a few days in Santa Fe. We played Towa and then Black Mesa. Black Mesa is pure desert golf. Plenty of rough terrain and elevation changes. The cart paths are dirt/gravel. This course is difficult. Not many flat spots. You've got to play the slopes well to score decently. I'm a 15 handicap and managed to shoot 90. A lot of the grass on the course is still dormant so the hitting surfaces were not good. The starting hole is one of the most difficult tee shots I know. I appreciate a course that lets you start and end well. This course won't do that. We had a blast though. A challenge and a lot of fun. NOT a course for the older/elderly. We're told that in 30-45 days the course will green up and be a completely different experience. So plan your tee time to the best course conditions. We booked on Golf Now and got a nice discount. I wouldn't pay full price to play in the current conditions. There are only a couple of water hazards but plenty of carry. I managed to only lose 1 ball. An enjoyable day for us. Not a course I'd want to play often but check it out.

Extreme drought conditions-should have notified us of this when we booked.

Black Mesa once was a great course. It is still a challenging course to play but the challenge is to find some grass to land your ball on. The blind shots and small landing areas make the course very hard for first time players and even harder because the GPS system isn't working. Management must think they're doing a good job because it's still the most expensive course in the area.

The course was rough as it has been winter here but other courses in the area are ahead of Mesa in prep for spring time play. Fairways were in rough shape with brown dried out areas and lots of bare spots. Bunkers were rock hard, poor sand quality. Cart was kinda beat with lots of rattling on the ungraded cart paths. Overall, the physical course is not in alignment with the steep greens fees.

I played this course in March of 2014. It was in great shape even with the grass being dormant. I can't wait to play it again this summer.

Excellent value for the price (Hot Deal) - the weather was warm enough, but a very stiff wind made club selection and driving on some holes a challenge - missed several birdie putts inside of 15-ft, due to the slope and multi-tiered greens - conditions were good, considering it's still winter here - definitely a cart course, would be difficult to walk

Had a great time playing with the local members, helped me with course knowledge, where to hit my ball. The course is very challenging, a true dessert course. If you can read the putt you will make the putt.

I would play again next time in NM

Amazing golf course. It is not for faint of heart. Long, tight, lots of uneven lies and undulating greens. Beautiful, challenging, amazing! Go play!

The course is great with all its views. The only problem that feel they should do is do a little "TLC" We just spent a week in Santa Fe and played golf for seven days in a row and played two courses a day. If I could do it all over again I would not play this course till they did a little more taking care of the course. If I had not got the round of golf off of "Golf Now" for $37 I would have been very upset with the course.