Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort
Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort delivers an 18-hole championship experience set amid the rugged desert beauty of Elephant Butte, New Mexico. With firm greens, strategic bunkering, and panoramic views of mesas and reservoirs, this course offers a compelling challenge for players of varied skill levels.
Course Overview
Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort offers a distinctive golfing experience set against the dramatic backdrop of Elephant Butte, New Mexico. This 18-hole championship course invites players of all levels to navigate a thoughtfully crafted layout that blends arid mountain terrain with sweeping desert vistas. The course challenges with subtle elevation changes and strategic hazard placements, while providing generous fairways that promote an enjoyable round for mid to high handicappers and a test of precision for low handicappers.
The routing follows the natural contours of the land, weaving through rugged desert flora and rock formations that demand thoughtful club selection and course management. Greens are firm and receptive, with carefully positioned bunkers protecting the scoring zones. Water hazards are present but sparing, reflecting the southwestern landscape rather than overwhelming the layout. The wind often plays a factor, encouraging players to adjust their strategies and shot shapes.
Turtleback Mountain’s setting is distinct, with panoramic views of the surrounding mesas and the nearby Elephant Butte Reservoir visible from several holes. The arid climate contributes to firm playing conditions, rewarding well-struck shots while presenting a fair challenge across all tee boxes.
The resort’s clubhouse offers a welcoming space for golfers and guests, with amenities including a practice range, short game area, and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the course. While the course is public and open to visitors, planning ahead is advisable to secure tee times during peak seasons, especially spring and fall.
Walking the course reveals a terrain that moves with a deliberate rhythm, where every hole feels like a step deeper into the desert’s quiet character. Players will find that the course balances challenge and accessibility, making it suitable both for recreational golfers seeking a memorable round and for enthusiasts eager to refine their skills amid scenic southwestern surroundings.
Course Highlights
This course is marked by its integration into the southwestern mountain landscape, combining desert scrub, rocky outcrops, and broad vistas that create both visual appeal and tactical considerations. Signature holes feature elevation changes that reveal expansive views of Elephant Butte Reservoir, while firm greens and well-positioned bunkers demand accuracy. The layout successfully balances challenge for experienced players with welcoming tee options for newcomers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Elisa Chavez
My family has given The Club Restaurant several opportunities to impress us; we’ve had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here over the years, despite changing managers, servers, and chefs, they continue to fall short. There are not a lot of places to eat in T or C on a Sunday, so we decided to try The Club Restaurant again, and we regret our decision. When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly host who seated us immediately. There was only one other table of 4 people eating in the restaurant. Our server was pleasant, asked for our drink orders, and left us to peruse the menu. As we looked over the menu, the other table left, so it was just my family of 3 in the restaurant. The server returned with our beverages, took our orders, and we proceeded to wait 40+ minutes for our food to arrive. As I mentioned before, we were the only people in the restaurant. In the meantime, we finished our waters and coffees, but the server never returned to ask us if we wanted refills. When our food finally arrived, the plates were hot, but the food was cold, and everyone’s eggs were cooked over hard when ordered over medium. My mother-in-law and husband ordered the breakfast combo, and the hashbrowns on both plates did not look appetizing. The bacon on one plate was burnt and thin, while the ham on the other was one thin slice of what looked like sandwich meat, not a thick breakfast slice. I ordered the chilaquiles, but when they arrived, sat so long in the kitchen that the chile sauce was dried on the cold, soggy chips. Considering we were the only ones there and two breakfasts were run-of-the-mill orders, how did they possibly come out so badly? Over the years, I have wanted this place to succeed, but their food is mediocre at best. I have been here for all meals, and each time it has either not tasted good, been overly salty, cold, overcooked, or undercooked (fish arrived overcooked on the outside and raw on the inside, not once but twice in the same evening). This restaurant could be amazing if they could get their act together otherwise, they will continue to fall short. It is a beautiful restaurant with a wonderful view, even adding an enclosure to the wonderful deck, but the food here is horrible. Unless they change hands again, I highly doubt we will ever return to eat here.
Weston Moody
This course is extremely well kept. The check in was nice and quick thanks to the employees. Greens are beautiful, sand traps are playable. But it definitely brings a lot of joy and fun through out the course.
Beatriz Rodriguez
Course was very well maintained! Had a great round I would just like to see more water jugs around the course to refill water bottles especially when it’s hot out.
Beatriz Rodriguez
Course was very well maintained! Had a great round I would just like to see more water jugs around the course to refill water bottles especially when it’s hot out.
Weston Moody
This course is extremely well kept. The check in was nice and quick thanks to the employees. Greens are beautiful, sand traps are playable. But it definitely brings a lot of joy and fun through out the course.
Lisa Chow
I always look forward to eating at the clubhouse and Easter Sunday brunch did not disappoint. Everything from service to The View on the deck was lovely. Traditional brunch fare including eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and an omelette station. For easter, juicy lamb and salmon with dill sauce was also served. The chef mentioned that regular brunch on Sundays would start in May! I look forward to going back many times this summer.😊
Vivian Archuleta
The area is another beautiful spot in New Mexico to visit. The people and staff we met were very nice to us. We're going back soon to enjoy the hot springs!!!
Vivian Archuleta
The area is another beautiful spot in New Mexico to visit. The people and staff we met were very nice to us. We're going back soon to enjoy the hot springs!!!
D Nelson
Lisa Chow
I always look forward to eating at the clubhouse and Easter Sunday brunch did not disappoint. Everything from service to The View on the deck was lovely. Traditional brunch fare including eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and an omelette station. For easter, juicy lamb and salmon with dill sauce was also served. The chef mentioned that regular brunch on Sundays would start in May! I look forward to going back many times this summer.😊
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Course Details
Access & Location
101 Clubhouse Dr, Elephant Butte, NM 87935, USA
Main clubhouse with pro shop, full-service restaurant, and patio dining overlooking the course
Walking is allowed and encouraged; terrain includes gentle elevations and rocky desert surfaces, so sturdy golf shoes with good traction are advisable.
Reservations recommended during peak seasons; walk-ins welcome when space permits.
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