Discover the Beauty and Challenge of the New Mexico State University Golf Course
Nestled in the heart of Southern New Mexico, the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Golf Course stands as a testament to accessible, high-quality public golf. Open year-round, this 18-hole championship course offers a unique blend of challenge and playability, catering to golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned players. With its stunning views of the Organ Mountains and a commitment to maintaining collegiate-level conditioning, the NMSU Golf Course provides an exceptional golfing experience without the barriers of membership or private club rules.
A Course for Everyone
One of Southern New Mexico’s most accessible public golf options is the NMSU Golf Course. Golfers can expect a course that accommodates beginners, university students, families, and competitive players without the barriers of memberships or private-club rules. The NMSU Golf Course is well suited to golfers who live in Southern New Mexico or are visiting the region. Public access, fantastic course conditions, and multiple tee box options make it practical for beginners, casual players, and advanced golfers. Visitors can rent equipment, warm up on the range, and spend a few hours on an 18-hole layout framed by clear Organ Mountains views. Local players make use of the convenient practice areas and setting.
The New Mexico State University Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course managed by New Mexico State University golf operations. It is known for a desert-parkland style: wide fairways bordered by mature trees, open views toward Tortugas Mountain, and dramatic sightlines of the Organ Mountains. The course runs along a high-desert basin with open views toward the Organ Mountains. As the home site for NMSU’s golf programs, the course adheres to collegiate expectations for conditioning, tournament suitability, and playability.
Course Layout and Design
The course is long; championship distance is 7,040 yards for men and 6,084 yards for women. The par for both men and women is 72 strokes, 36 on the front nine and 36 on the back nine. The United States Golf Association course rating is 75.0. The layout includes multiple tee boxes, ranging from junior tees under 4,600 yards to championship tees near 7,000 yards. Golfers can choose from several tee boxes that change the length and difficulty of the course. The forward tees shorten carries and make approach shots more manageable, while the longest tees create a tougher round for skilled players. The course has four par-5 holes, 10 par-4 holes and four par-3 holes for men and women.
Fairways are generally broad, greens trend toward moderate contours, and hazards include sand bunkers and selected water features. The average size of the greens is 9,100 square feet and the largest, No. Most greens have two to four sand traps each. Trees have been set in strategic locations at the corners of the doglegs, near tees and around greens.
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Accessibility and Amenities
Easily accessible to the New Mexico State main campus, the University Golf Course is situated one-half mile to the east of the campus, just off Interstate 25. The NMSU Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course within the campus of New Mexico State University, in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Open seven days a week for public use, the course and driving ranges are also used by both Aggie golf teams as a practice and training facility. The course is fully open to the public throughout the year, and no university affiliation is required. Students, faculty, and juniors receive reduced rates, while all other players use standard public pricing.
Pro Shop and Practice Facilities
The pro shop stocks equipment, apparel, golf balls, gloves, and NMSU-branded merchandise. We offer a Pro Shop with a large selection of golf equipment from top manufacturers, along with a great selection of NMSU-branded golf apparel. Also on-site is our top-notch practice facility, with a large driving range, contoured putting greens, and a short-game practice area. The course includes a full driving range, a large putting green, and a dedicated short-game area with chipping and bunker stations. These facilities are available throughout the year and support warm-ups, individual practice, and lessons. Our knowledgeable staff of PGA professionals offers a wide variety of lesson programs as well as custom fitting of golf equipment.
Dining
The Player’s Grill serves breakfast on weekends along with a daily lunch and dinner menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and casual fare. Diners can sit indoors or on the patio overlooking the course.
Booking and Rates
Affordable daily rates, season passes, and flexible tee time booking make the course appealing to local golfers seeking dependable access. Tee times may be booked through the online reservation system or by calling the pro shop at 575-646-3219. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available. Tee times may be booked online or by calling the pro shop. Weekday rounds are priced at $35, and weekend rounds are $45, with cart rentals and equipment available for an additional fee. Cart rentals are $15 per rider for 18 holes. Sundown rates provide late-day discounts during longer summer afternoons.
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History and Development
University planning for the course began in 1958. Floyd Farley of Oklahoma City, a designer of more than 50 courses, was hired as the architect for the project. The construction began on March 1, 1961. The golf course was established in 1963 and is opened to the public.
The initial cost of the 18-hole course, including the watering system and clubhouse, was $300,000. The course obtains irrigation water from the University’s wells and from a storage tank located south of the 14th hole. A fully computerized, state-of-the-art irrigation system was installed in 1982. The University Golf Course is located in Tortugas Arroyo on university property east of the main campus.
A new golf clubhouse was opened in October of 2004. In the summer of 1989, a new maintenance building was built adjacent to the 10th and 15th fairways, providing more storage space for golf carts and other course equipment. The old maintenance building was torn down, leaving room for further expansion in the future. In 2000, a golf course pavilion was built just west of the clubhouse.
Tournaments and Events
The NMSU Golf Course offers several options for hosting tournaments, group outings, or a league.
PGA Golf Management Program
The PGA Golf Management Program is offered only to few universities, and is the only program to be offered in New Mexico. It is the third in the nation to be endorsed by the PGA in 1987.
Read also: Guide to Mexican Universities
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