Bayonet & Black Horse
Built on the old Fort Ord army base above Monterey Bay, Bayonet & Black Horse is a pair of muscular public courses a short drive from Pebble Beach. The Bayonet, dating to 1954, is a par 72 of about 7,104 yards known for the brutal Combat Corner; the Black Horse runs to about 7,024 yards with sweeping Pacific views. Both are Troon managed.
Photo: Bayonet & Black Horse via Google.
The verdict
Bayonet & Black Horse is the value heavyweight of the Monterey Peninsula, two championship courses laid out on the rolling, tree dotted terrain of the former Fort Ord army base above Monterey Bay. The Bayonet course was built in 1954 and plays as a par 72 of about 7,104 yards, while the younger Black Horse, dating to 1964, is a par 72 of about 7,024 yards with sweeping views of the Pacific. Both are public and managed by Troon, and both have hosted significant amateur and professional qualifying golf.
The Bayonet earned a fearsome reputation for its run of holes nicknamed Combat Corner, a stretch of long, doglegging par 4s that punishes anything less than full commitment. Add coastal weather, fescue framed fairways and slick, contoured greens, and you have a serious test that holds its own a few miles from the marquee names of the peninsula, at a fraction of the green fee. For travelers building a Monterey trip, it is the smart way to add championship golf without the resort price tag.
Bayonet & Black Horse at a glance
- Opened
- 1954 (Bayonet)
- Designer
- Gen. Robert McClure
- Type
- Parkland, coastal
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,104 yds
- Green fee
- Public, Troon
Origins, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the facility and leading course databases: the Bayonet was built in 1954 by General Robert B. McClure and the Black Horse in 1964 by General Edwin Carnes, each a par 72 of about 7,100 and 7,024 yards respectively, both now public and Troon managed. Public green fees vary by season and day and have run broadly in the mid three figures in peak season, with military and resident rates available (indicative, 2026). Always confirm the current fee directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Bayonet is all about position and patience. The fairways tumble across the old army terrain framed by mature pines and fescue, and the greens are firm and full of movement, so the approach has to be the right club from the right angle. It is a long, honest test that rewards the player who keeps the ball in front of them rather than chasing every flag.
The signature stretch is Combat Corner, a run of long par 4s that bend through the trees and demand two committed, well struck shots to reach in regulation. With coastal air and a fresh breeze it can play every inch of its yardage, and a steady card here is genuinely earned. The Black Horse offers the counterpoint, more open in places with those long Pacific views, but with its own serrated bunkering and quick greens.
Together the two courses make a full day or a two round visit that stands comparison with anything on the peninsula. The conditioning under Troon is consistently good, the routings are varied, and the lack of crowds compared with the famous resort courses makes for an unhurried round on classic Monterey ground.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public access on both courses; open to all visiting golfers, tee times bookable in advance |
| Green fee | Public green fees vary by season and day, broadly in the mid three figures in peak season, with military and resident rates (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book through the facility or Troon; pair with the wider Monterey Peninsula courses for a multi day trip |
| On the day | Carts are available and walking is permitted; coastal layers help against the marine breeze and a dress code applies |
| Getting there | Seaside, on the Monterey Peninsula, minutes from Monterey and a short drive from the resorts of Pebble Beach |
| Best months | Spring and fall for the most settled conditions; coastal fog is common on summer mornings |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the facility and golf travel sources; public rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors base themselves in Monterey, Carmel or Pacific Grove, all within easy reach and full of hotels, inns and dining that suit a peninsula golf trip. Seaside itself offers more affordable lodging close to the first tee for golfers focused on the rounds.
The location is the appeal: Bayonet & Black Horse sits in the middle of one of the great concentrations of golf in the world, so it slots naturally into an itinerary alongside the famous resort courses and the inland gems of the Monterey area.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Bayonet & Black Horse.
Build a Monterey golf trip
We book the Bayonet and Black Horse tee times, pair them with the marquee peninsula courses and sort the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Bayonet & Black Horse questions
Who built Bayonet & Black Horse and when?
The Bayonet course was built in 1954 by General Robert B. McClure and the Black Horse in 1964 by General Edwin Carnes, on the former Fort Ord army base above Monterey Bay.
What is the par and length of the Bayonet course?
The Bayonet is a par 72 of about 7,104 yards, famous for the demanding Combat Corner stretch of long par 4s; the sister Black Horse is a par 72 of about 7,024 yards.
Are Bayonet & Black Horse open to the public?
Yes. Both courses are public and managed by Troon, with tee times bookable in advance and military and resident rates available alongside standard public green fees.
How far are Bayonet & Black Horse from Pebble Beach?
They sit in Seaside on the Monterey Peninsula, just a few miles and a short drive from the resort courses of Pebble Beach, making them an easy and good value addition to a peninsula trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Origins, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.