Bayonet Golf Course: A Complete Guide
Bayonet is one of the toughest public golf courses in the country — ranked No. 35 nationally on Golf Digest's list of America's toughest courses — built on the grounds of the former Fort Ord military base in Seaside, California.
A military pedigree
Bayonet sits on the former Fort Ord, purchased by the US Army in 1917. General Robert B. McClure, the post's commanding officer, designed the course in 1954. The course's famous "Combat Corner" nickname belongs to hole 15, the centerpiece of a demanding stretch running holes 11 through 15. The course takes its name from the 7th Infantry, the "Bayonet Division."
Fort Ord was decommissioned in the 1990s, and Bayonet opened to public play on January 16, 1997. A 2007 redesign by Gene Bates refreshed the layout while preserving its demanding character.
What to expect on the course
At 7,024 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 74.8 and a slope of 139, Bayonet is built for serious and scratch-to-mid-handicap players. High-handicap beginners may find it punishing — it's not the course for a relaxed first round on the peninsula.
The course has hosted PGA Tour qualifiers and players including Billy Andrade, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, and a Nationwide Tour event, the Monterey Peninsula Classic, ran here from 2000 to 2003.
Planning a round
Bayonet shares its facility with Black Horse, its sister course — a natural two-round pairing for a multi-day trip. Green fees vary seasonally — contact us for current rates. One scheduling note: Bayonet and Black Horse close for several days in mid-August during Car Week and the Concours d'Elegance.