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2.0
91 Reviews (91)
5 Stars
30
4 Stars
33
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
9
Conditions
1.7
Value
1.9
Layout
2.0
Friendliness
2.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
2.1
23.1%
Recommend this course
71 out of 91 reviews
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Value
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Layout
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Amenities
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About

Holes 9
Type Public
Par 36
Length 3615 yards
Slope 131
Rating 36.5

Course Details

Year Built 2001
Fairways Kentucky Bluegrass
Greens Bentgrass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Hale Irwin (2001) Brad Bartell

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No. Only with permission
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Appropriate golf attire

Food & Beverage

Bar, Snacks, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Casino, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in New Mexico (2019 #7)

Reviews

2.0
91 Reviews (91)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 11
19th Hole Scenic Views 8
Patio Dining 7
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 30
Forced Carries 17
Water Hazards 15
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 28
Advanced Golfers 18
Locals 17
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 23
Worth the Drive 15
Convenient to the City 13

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

One word, PRO!!!

WOW! I want to write a 3 page review about this course, but you don't have time for that. From the absolutely beautiful drive to Buffalo Thunder, to the pro shop and the great staff, to the magnificent views on each course, this is one of the best venues I have ever played! My words cannot do this course justice. You just have to come and play.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Nice course, nice view

This course is somewhat challenging with some very interesting holes. The staff is very friendly. The weather was great although it did rain the last two holes. The greens were in great shape. The fairways a little spotty in some areas. The rough was very manageble.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

great scenery, nice changing hole shapes

the fairways were sometimes a little spotty but they were being repaired. the greens were in great shape and held the shots. great visuals and a lot of value for both the golf and the aesthetics. definitely play much more.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great course

ONe of the best values out there, worth the drive.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

$79 Resort Course?

Waterlogged. Extensively potholed and damaged fairways and roughs on every hole on the Boulder and Pinon nines. Many blind tees shots and poor target lines off the tee boxes. Greens in good shape , but slow. No drink cart until 14th hole at 2pm on Friday. Lived in Albuquerque for 3 years, and this is the worst course I have played in a 50 mile radius. If playing in the Santa Fe area, save $35 or more and play the mumi 5 miles or so to the south. You won't be sorry. This course was a waste of time and money, and I will never play this course again.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Not worth the money!

First off, the guy working in the pro shop was extremely friendly and helpful. Also, the driving range was great (quality balls and good turf). But sadly that's were the positive review stops.

Luckily I only paid around $30 to play b/c of a "hot deal," but if I had paid over $60 like the normally ask I would've been livid!! The course is in horrible condition. HUGE area's of not only dead grass but hard dirt in the fairways. They had a "men's club" tournament going off until 11:30am this morning (I had a noon t time). The foursome in front of me finished 3 holes behind the group in front of them!! It took me over 5 hours to play when there was hardly anyone on the course!! Not ONCE did I see marshal or anything.

If you want a nice course around Santa Fe I recommend Sanchez or Twin Warriors. I played both as well and they were leaps and bounds better than this course!!

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

towa golf

Greens in good shape with some minor imperfections.Fairwayss in good shape.Valley nine requires target golf on at least three holes. Will play again

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Towa

1st time playing course. Good shape but a little wet in low lying areas. Would play again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Towa improving

Course conditions were improved over the last two years, and it is apparent they are working to restore turf around the greens. A few greens had bad spots and there were some poor conditions in various places, but overall, not too bad. Where the conditions are good, they are very good.

I played Valley and the Boulder, enjoying the layouts on both. I got a great deal on Golf Now.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great value for a good course

Beautiful landscapes, great staff. Fairways & greens in good shape - sand traps are hard pan and mud. Great value.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

No Rain Check

I had never played at a golf course that didn't give rain checks until I played Towa.
After a downpour that closed all but one nine, I was told that they never give rain checks. They said I should check the weather before I play to make sure I could finish.
I won't play there again.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Add this course to your itinerary

Towa is a gem, a bit off the beaten path. I've played it three times over the past three yeas, and play has been fast and mostly uninterrupted. Singles can get on easily and often can pair up. The Pinon 9 wides through low desert hills, The Valley 9 is a bit flatter and plays mostly below Pinon. Both nines are in generally great shape. Greens have a few rough spots, and bunkers are being redone. Roughs are -- stay on the fairway. Soil in desert areas is soft and fluffy, making tight lies especially difficult. Holes themselves are interesting, with many dog legs, elevation changes, divided fairways and the like. Many tee shots require careful consderation. Hazards of driving the ball to far or slightly off line are not always apparent from the tees. Staff is very firendly and helpful, green fees are reasonable. What's not to like? Maybe the afternoon weather in mid to late summer. Book in the mornings and you'll likely finish dry and satisfied.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

fine day

fantastic time, fun and challenging course, excellent service and value!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Used cart

Wow!

A great course ! The desert mountain views were fantastic (Pinon' and Valley) and the conditions of the greens were the quality of a moderate to high end course in my home area of Atlanta. The fairways were consistently ok to good, but not bad considering the local drought of the past three months for this region of Northern New Mexico. I look forward to returning and being able to play the the Bolder 9 course, which was under development during my stay. The staff was very attentive and my wife and I were able to view a beautiful sunset after the round. We saw a a bunch of rabbit and one road runner bird!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Disappointed

We four have not played Towa in 2 years. Frankly, we will not play it again until the course conditions are significantly improved. We played Pinion and Valley. Boulder was closed I was told due to "poor course conditions." The greens on the 2 9s we played were sometimes nearly 50% without grass. Areas around most greens had significant areas without grass again. The fairways were somewhat in better shape, although periodic bare spots are quite evident. Overall, I would rate the course as in as bad a shape as I've ever seen it. I played here since Towa opened and this is the worst ever. I'm surprised Hilton allows such poor course conditions to exist. The 2 Santa Fe in-town courses are in MUCH better condition and will get our support this year. Again, what a disappointment.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Nice Layout and Friendly Staff

We were greeted by friendly staff in the pro shop and the starter was great. The layout was challenging and the GPS in the carts was very accurate.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Towa Golf Course

Beautiful layout and very scenic. In reasonably
good condition in spite of drought throughout
Much of the area. I highly recommend Towa
and plan to play there regularly!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Poor weather
Used cart

Nice course but caught on a bad day

Nice layout and some awesome holes. Played in early spring and it's apparent the winter was dry. Fairways were in bad shape and greens were hard and didn't hold. It was VERY windy (30+) but my only chance to play.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Drought taking it's toll

My wife and I stayed at the Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort/Casino. The course and the clubhouse are on the property. Easy to get to. There are 27 holes open. The pro shop told me that they abandoned 9 holes nearly 8 years ago shortly after the course opened due to lack of water. Sad. However, they turned that 9 into a very nice walking path which we enjoyed. Just keep your eyes open for snakes sunning themselves on the cart path. We very much enjoyed the course design/layout. Cart's w/GPS are nice. Lots of elevated tee boxes, great views and elevation changes. It's 7,000 feet above sea level here so the ball carries nicely. You'll be disappointed once you get back home to the real world. Unfortunately, many of the greens, tee boxes and fairways are in poor condition due to the drought. I would not pay full price for these conditions. Find a discount on Golf Now. The pro shop told us $69 but we booked on Golf Now for half of that. At a steep discount, I would play the course again. But if you're looking for that pristine desert golf, this isn't it.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

Towa

Very nice course, extremely friendly staff. A lot of FUN!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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