New Mexico has a way of tricking you. You drive through the high desert near Santa Fe, see the red rocks and the scrub brush, and you think you know what a golf course here is going to look like. Flat. Dry. Maybe a little bit repetitive. Then you pull into Towa Golf Club at Buffalo Thunder, and the landscape just... explodes.
It’s big.
Honestly, that’s the first thing that hits you. It isn't just one course; it's a massive, sprawling 27-hole complex designed by William Phillips and the legendary Hale Irwin. Most people come to the Land of Enchantment looking for that "Paako Ridge" vibe, but Towa offers something different. It feels more rugged. More connected to the actual dirt of the Pojoaque Valley.
If you've played a lot of desert golf, you know the drill. Green grass, thin strip of fairway, and then "don't miss or you're in the cactus." Towa is like that, but with a dramatic flair that feels less manufactured than the big-budget courses in Scottsdale or even some of the more manicured spots in Albuquerque.
The Three Nines: Choosing Your Own Adventure at Towa Golf Club
You aren't just playing "Towa." You’re playing a combination of the Boulder, Pinon, and Butterfly nines. Each one has a completely different personality, which is kinda rare for a 27-hole facility. Usually, one nine feels like the "leftover" holes. Not here.
The Boulder nine is arguably the most visual. It’s got these massive rock formations that give the course its name. You’re hitting shots that feel like they’re framed by ancient geology. Then you have the Pinon nine, which offers more of that classic high-desert feel with elevation changes that will absolutely mess with your club selection if you aren't paying attention. Butterfly is the one that surprises people—it's got some water, which feels like a miracle in this part of the state.
The Famous Island Green
Let’s talk about the hole everyone remembers. It’s on the Boulder nine. Hole 4. It is the only natural island green in New Mexico.
Wait. Think about that.
In a state that is basically a giant sandbox, finding a green completely surrounded by water is a trip. It’s not a long shot, but when the wind kicks up—and it will kick up in Santa Fe—that little patch of green looks about the size of a postage stamp. It’s the kind of hole that makes or breaks a scorecard before you’ve even finished the front side.
Dealing with the Santa Fe Altitude
You’re playing at roughly 5,800 feet. That matters.
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If you are visiting from sea level, you are going to feel like a superhero for exactly three holes because your ball is flying 10% further than usual. Then, the thin air is going to start wearing you out. Walking Towa is an option, but honestly? Take the cart. The distances between greens and tees can be substantial, and the elevation climbs are no joke.
I’ve seen guys show up from Dallas or Houston, swing out of their shoes on the first tee, and then wonder why they’re gasping for air by the turn. It’s a physical course. The wind usually picks up around 1:00 PM, blowing across the valley and turning a relatively simple par 4 into a nightmare of low-trajectory punch shots and prayers.
The Turf and the Greens
The conditioning at Towa Golf Club has had its ups and downs over the years—let's be real. It’s a tribal-owned course (Pojoaque Pueblo) and maintaining 27 holes in a literal desert is an engineering feat that would make most superintendents quit on the spot.
Currently, the greens are back to being some of the truest in the region. They use a bentgrass blend that holds up well against the harsh New Mexico sun. They aren't "PGA Tour fast," but they are consistent. That’s what you want. You want to know that if you put a good stroke on it, the ball isn't going to bobble off a patch of dormant Bermuda.
Why the Scenery Actually Matters Here
A lot of golf marketing talk is just fluff about "stunning vistas." At Towa, the vistas are actually functional. You use the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Jemez Mountains as your aiming points.
"Aim at the peak with the snow on it."
That’s a real piece of advice you’ll hear from the locals. On the Butterfly nine, the views of the valley are so wide that it can actually be hard to focus on your line. You feel small. In a world of suburban courses squeezed between housing developments, playing at Towa feels like playing in the wild. You might see a coyote. You will definitely see hawks. You’ll feel the silence of the desert, which is a specific kind of quiet that you can't find anywhere else.
The Buffalo Thunder Connection
You can't talk about Towa without mentioning the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder. The course is part of the resort.
This is where the "lifestyle" part of the trip comes in. You finish 18 (or 27 if you're a glutton for punishment), and you're literally steps away from a massive casino, decent steakhouse options, and a spa. It makes it one of the better "stay and play" destinations in the Southwest. It’s not as stuffy as some of the private clubs in Santa Fe, and the vibe is much more relaxed.
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The Reality of Playing the Pojoaque Valley
Is it perfect? No.
If you’re looking for manicured flower beds and white-sand bunkers like you see on TV, you might be disappointed. This is rugged golf. The bunkers have local sand, which is a bit heavier and coarser. The "rough" is often just the native desert. If you hit it off the grass, you aren't looking for your ball in tall fescue; you're looking for it under a cholla cactus.
Bring an extra sleeve of balls. Maybe two.
Also, the sun in New Mexico is different. It’s intense. Even in October when it’s 65 degrees, that sun will bake you. Wear the high-SPF stuff. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Drink twice as much water as you think you need. The humidity is often in the single digits, and you won't realize you're dehydrated until the headache hits on the 15th hole.
Comparing Towa to Other New Mexico Giants
People always ask: "Should I play Towa or Black Mesa?" Or "How does it compare to Paako Ridge?"
Paako Ridge is often ranked #1 in the state. It’s a pine-forest mountain course. It’s spectacular, but it’s also a haul to get to if you’re staying in Santa Fe. Black Mesa is a wild,リンクス-style desert course that is famously difficult.
Towa sits right in the middle. It’s more accessible than Black Mesa but offers more variety than the muni courses in town. It’s the "everyman’s" high-end desert golf. It feels approachable. You don’t feel like you need a scratch handicap to enjoy it, though the back tees will absolutely test a low-handicapper's resolve.
Value for Money
Let’s be honest about the price.
Golf has gotten expensive. Everywhere. But New Mexico remains one of the last bastions of "quality golf for a fair price." You can often find rounds at Towa for significantly less than what you’d pay for a mediocre course in California or Arizona. If you’re a New Mexico resident, the rates are even better.
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Practical Advice for Your Round at Towa Golf Club
If you’re actually going to go play, keep these things in mind:
- Book the Boulder/Pinon combo if you can. It’s the classic experience. If you want something a bit shorter and more technical, Butterfly is great, but Boulder is the "must-play."
- Check the wind forecast. If it says 20mph, expect 30mph gusts. Adjust your expectations for your score.
- The par 3s are the soul of the course. Most of them involve significant drops or carries. Don't just trust the yardage on your GPS; look at the elevation change. A 160-yard shot can play like 140 or 180 depending on which ridge you're standing on.
- The "Local Rule" for desert. If you hit it into the rocks, don't break your club trying to be a hero. Take the drop. The volcanic rock in this area will chew up a forged iron in one swing.
The Cultural Significance
There is something cool about playing on tribal land. The Pojoaque Pueblo has owned and operated this land for centuries, long before golf was even a concept. There’s a sense of stewardship here. The architecture of the clubhouse and the resort reflects the Pueblo style—heavy beams, adobe-colored walls, and a connection to the earth. It doesn't feel like a corporate golf factory. It feels like a part of the community.
Seasonal Timing
When should you go?
Late September through October is the sweet spot. The cottonwoods in the valley turn a brilliant gold, the air is crisp, and the greens are usually at their peak. Spring is "wind season," which can be brutal. Summer is hot, but since it’s the high desert, it’s a dry heat. You can play at 9:00 AM and be in the pool by 1:30 PM before the afternoon thunderstorms (monsoons) roll in.
Moving Forward with Your Trip
If you're planning a golf trip to the Southwest, don't sleep on Northern New Mexico. Most people fly right over it on their way to Scottsdale. Big mistake.
Start by checking the tee sheet at Towa Golf Club online. They often have dynamic pricing, so if you're flexible with your start time, you can snag a deal. Pair the round with a visit to the Santa Fe Plaza, which is only about 15 minutes south.
Eat some green chile. Drink some local craft beer.
Golf is better when it's part of a larger experience, and Towa provides a rugged, beautiful, and uniquely New Mexican backdrop that you just can't replicate on a simulator or a flat Florida course.
Pack your bag. Bring the sunscreen. Aim at the mountains.
Next Steps for Your Towa Visit:
- Check Availability: Visit the Buffalo Thunder Resort website to view the 27-hole rotation for your desired dates, as they often cycle nines for maintenance.
- Verify Weather Patterns: Look specifically at the "Pojoaque, NM" forecast rather than Santa Fe, as the valley can be 5-10 degrees warmer and significantly windier.
- Equipment Check: Ensure you have a rangefinder with slope compensation; the elevation changes at Towa make standard yardage markers almost useless for precise approach shots.
- Dining Reservations: If you plan to eat at Red Sage (the resort's premier steakhouse) after your round, book at least 48 hours in advance, especially on weekends.