Pros:
-A genuinely Challenging Championship course.
-Several holes require serious thought.
-Am pads that do even the playing field.
-Truly peaceful, outback location.
-Horses! Beautiful 'Paints' just being cool.
-Mix of Pins for both Risk and LONG Birdies.
-Cheap! Variety of Rustic Cabins and Camping.
-Some Big Air and Big Views
-Well marked trail signs at each basket.
-Huge Rustic Lodge w/ ping pong, deck, kitchen
Cons:
-REALLY Tall trees favor thumbers/tomahawks.
-Some holes too dense: More luck than skill?
-Tough to play blind/solo/without spotting.
-Long way from anywhere.
-NO BEER within 1/2 hour's drive LOL.
-No short loops except maybe holes 12-16.
-Teepads can be slippery, a few need work.
Other Thoughts:
Camp of the Tall Pines is located in the Southern San Francisco Mountains, about 90 minutes south of Ruidoso or east of Alamagordo. The nearest full services are in Cloudcroft, over a 1/2 hour away. While the course and location are not as rugged at Lindrith, it offers an inspiring outback experience. The Camp staff was friendly and welcoming, but this is no KOA: bring everything.
I played the course 5-6 times before and during the August 2014 'New Mexico Open', and some holes still owned me to the end. Many of the 83 players left as tired and humbled as I did, but I really think we enjoyed the challenge.
There is no doubt that accurate Big Arms with thumbers and tomahawks will find the course manageable. If you insist on hitting every tree and getting upset,...well....there you go.
From what I could tell, the Am Tees offered a significant break on all the long holes.
At par 62, there were plenty of birdies. Pros and short tee intermediates mostly shot under par. Long tee Advanced averaged under 70. But the tall trees can wear you down.
The middle of the course, from holes 5 thru 11, is a long way from the base. Plan on playing the whole course in about 2.5 to 4 hours. You can play a short loop from holes 12 to 16 by parking over in that area.
To me at least, Camp of the Tall Pines has the potential to be a 4+ star course. A crew with tools could shore up the tee-pads and take some of the luck out of the dense fairways. An alternative to big RHBH hyzers would make some holes more interesting.
Call first, bring everything, relax and enjoy the unique and rugged beauty of this course.