Santa Fe Golf Trip Planning Guide
Santa Fe brings a totally different flavor to the Southwest trip — 7,000-foot elevation, world-class art galleries, legendary New Mexican cuisine, and a few solid mountain courses. It is more of a culture-forward trip with golf mixed in.
3 courses · 6 restaurants · 4 bars · 5 activities
Quick Facts
Spring, Summer, Fall
ABQ (65 min drive)
$40–$120
$400/night
1 of 3
~$350/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Santa Fe. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Black Mesa Golf Club — desert, $60–$120 · 4.5★
Baxter Spann design on Pueblo land with dramatic mesas and arroyos — the best course near Santa Fe
The Shed — mexican, $ · 4.5★
Iconic Santa Fe New Mexican restaurant since 1953 — the red chile enchiladas are mandatory
Matador — saloon · Open late
Dark, narrow old-school saloon on Galisteo — the locals' bar with strong pours and zero pretense
Day 2
Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe — links, $40–$75 · 4.4★
Muni-priced links course with panoramic Sangre de Cristo mountain views — best value in Santa Fe
Canyon Road Art Galleries — 2-3 hours, $0–$0/pp
Half-mile stretch of 100+ art galleries and studios — free to browse and unexpectedly fun as a group
Geronimo — upscale, $ · 4.7★
Fine dining in a 1756 adobe on Canyon Road — elk tenderloin and the best special-occasion meal in town
Secreto Lounge — cocktail
Craft cocktails at Hotel St. Francis with a sexy candlelit vibe — the elevated night out
Day 3
Towa Golf Resort — mountain, $50–$100 · 4.3★
Hale Irwin design at Buffalo Thunder Resort with juniper-studded mountain terrain and casino on-site
Meow Wolf (House of Eternal Return) — 2-3 hours, $35–$45/pp
Immersive psychedelic art installation unlike anything you have ever seen — yes, even for golf bros
La Choza — mexican, $$ · 4.5★
Sister restaurant to The Shed with equally legendary green chile — less tourist-heavy and bigger space
Evangelo's Cocktail Lounge — dive · Open late
Live music, pool tables, and a late-night crowd — the enduring dive on the Plaza since 1971
Course-by-Course Guide
Santa Fe has 3 courses worth playing. 1 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe
SolidMuni-priced links course with panoramic Sangre de Cristo mountain views — best value in Santa Fe
Black Mesa Golf Club
PremiumBaxter Spann design on Pueblo land with dramatic mesas and arroyos — the best course near Santa Fe
Towa Golf Resort
SolidHale Irwin design at Buffalo Thunder Resort with juniper-studded mountain terrain and casino on-site
Where to Stay
Santa Fe has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $400/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.
$500–$1800/night
Sleeps 10–16 · East side near Canyon Road or north side near Tesuque — large adobe-style homes with mountain views
$400–$1200/night
Sleeps 8–14 · Canyon Road / Eastside Santa Fe
Group Dining Guide
6 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
The Shed
$Iconic Santa Fe New Mexican restaurant since 1953 — the red chile enchiladas are mandatory
Geronimo
$Fine dining in a 1756 adobe on Canyon Road — elk tenderloin and the best special-occasion meal in town
La Choza
$$Sister restaurant to The Shed with equally legendary green chile — less tourist-heavy and bigger space
Tomasita's
$Railyard district New Mexican staple with potent margaritas and posole that cures all ills
Andiamo!
$$$Northern Italian in a cozy adobe space — handmade pasta and an excellent wine list
Rio Chama Prime Steakhouse
$$$$Upscale prime steakhouse near the Plaza serving hand-cut aged beef since 2001 with private dining available
Nightlife
4 bars curated for groups. 2 stay open past midnight.
Matador
Late NightDark, narrow old-school saloon on Galisteo — the locals' bar with strong pours and zero pretense
Secreto Lounge
Craft cocktails at Hotel St. Francis with a sexy candlelit vibe — the elevated night out
Evangelo's Cocktail Lounge
Late NightLive music, pool tables, and a late-night crowd — the enduring dive on the Plaza since 1971
Santa Fe Brewing Company (HQ Taproom)
Santa Fe's own craft brewery with a sprawling south-side taproom and food trucks
Activities Beyond Golf
5 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
Canyon Road Art Galleries
Half-mile stretch of 100+ art galleries and studios — free to browse and unexpectedly fun as a group
Meow Wolf (House of Eternal Return)
Immersive psychedelic art installation unlike anything you have ever seen — yes, even for golf bros
Santa Fe Skeet & Trap Club
Outdoor skeet and trap shooting in the high desert — competitive and easy to organize
Ski Santa Fe / Mountain Hiking
Aspen-covered trails at 10,000+ feet in the Sangre de Cristo range — stunning in fall
Buffalo Thunder Casino
Full casino at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder — table games and slots 20 minutes from the Plaza
Getting There
Fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) — it's a 65-minute drive to Santa Fe. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Santa Fe Party Bus and New Mexico Limo). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.