Please forgive me if I insult your intelligence, but in 1912 New Mexico became the 47th state admitted to the Union. If I took a mulligan every time someone asked me back East: “Now, what’s the difference between Mexico and New Mexico,” I’d have a scratch handicap.

New Mexico: The Land of Enchantment. It’s home to the oldest state capitol (Santa Fe); the roadrunner (beep, beep); and green chile (wow, that’s hot)! It’s a state that defines the American landscape; a place that inspires the artist in all of us; and a terrain that flowers two of the top public tracks in the country: Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club and Black Mesa Golf Club.

Paa-ko Ridge is ranked 28th on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play, and at $90 during the week, this course is a steal (I’d pay $90 for the scenery alone)! Nestled in a new community between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, you’re absorbed in rugged mountains and high-desert terrain. It truly is a sight to behold. But beyond the aesthetics, Paa-ko is a nice challenge too. The course offers five tee boxes, and plays 7,562 yards from the tips with a slope of 138 (don’t worry about length – at an altitude of 7,000 feet, you’ll be setting your personal driving-distance record).

Meanwhile, Black Mesa (ranked #36), is the newer of the two young courses (2003 vs. Paa-ko’s 2000), and is a mere $82 to play during the week. Just a short drive north of Santa Fe, Black Mesa sits outside the town of Española. The course’s fairways are encompassed by arroyos, while many of the holes are surrounded by canyons and jagged mountains – all part of a landscape native Pueblo Indians have enjoyed for centuries. Black Mesa is not as long as Paa-Ko, but it plays a little tougher, with a slope of 141 from the back tees (7,307 yards).

While Arizona is a typical golf destination for many northerners, New Mexico should not be overlooked – the golf, food, and prices are completely worth it. Stay a week and go whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande, and play other notable courses in the area like Twin Warriors and the Towa Golf Resort. Hit the casinos at night and don’t forget to eat. New Mexican cuisine is like none-other. A must-stop in Santa Fe is Tomasita’s (have the stuffed Sopaipillas) and when near Albuquerque, try El Pinto (the chile rellenos are pretty darn good). But beware – whichever chile you choose for your meal (red or green), it will be HOT.

New Mexico golf in general, but Paa-ko Ridge and Black Mesa especially, have what many golf course designers long for: an awesome location. These courses will capture your imagination on every hole and around every corner awaits a new challenge with another spectacular view. Golfing in New Mexico is an experience that needs to be realized by every stinky golfer in this land.