Bayonet vs Black Horse: Which Monterey Peninsula Course Should Your Group Play?
Bayonet and Black Horse share the same former Fort Ord military land in Seaside, the same operator, and the same routing history. They are not the same golf course. Bayonet is harder, longer, and more demanding. Black Horse is more scenic and more forgiving. Here is how to decide which one your group should play.
The basics
Both courses were designed by General Robert B. McClure in 1954 and redesigned by Gene Bates in 2007. Both are semi-private and open to public play, both are managed by Troon, and both sit on the same property at 1 McClure Way in Seaside. Green fees are comparable.
Bayonet: Par 72, 7,024 yards, course rating 74.8, slope 139. Black Horse: Par 72, 7,024 yards, course rating 73.7, slope 141. The slope number is the clearest single-number summary of the difference — Black Horse is rated slightly more difficult for bogey golfers despite its lower course rating, because its hazards punish errant shots more consistently even if the overall scoring par is lower.
Where Bayonet is harder
Bayonet is nationally ranked for difficulty — Golf Digest placed it 35th on its list of the 50 Toughest Golf Courses in the United States. The back nine is the reason. Holes 11 through 15 form a stretch known as the Combat Corner, which plays directly into the prevailing wind off Monterey Bay. It is relentless for players who are not comfortable shaping shots in wind.
The course rating of 74.8 means a scratch golfer is expected to average nearly 3 shots over par. For a 15-handicap group, that translates to a genuinely punishing day if the wind is up. The green complexes are fast and undulating, and the rough is not forgiving.
Where Black Horse is different
Black Horse trades the Combat Corner for panoramic Monterey Bay views throughout the round — the views are better and more consistent than Bayonet. The fairways are slightly wider, the routing is less wind-exposed on the back nine, and mid-handicap players tend to score better here than on Bayonet.
The slope of 141 reflects that the course has significant difficulty for bogey golfers specifically. Hazards are well-placed, and the penalty for missing the fairway is real. But it does not have Bayonet’s sustained back-nine difficulty spike.
The Fort Ord two-day combination
Most groups visiting the peninsula who want to play both courses do a Fort Ord two-day: one round at Bayonet, one at Black Horse, both on the same property. This is one of the best-value two-day golf combinations on the peninsula — two distinct championship layouts, no driving between venues, and green fees well below Pebble Beach Resorts pricing.
Monterey Golf Tours includes this combination in the 3-Day Monterey Golf Weekend itinerary and can build it into any custom package. It pairs naturally with a third round at Pacific Grove Golf Links for groups who want a coastal ocean-view contrast to the Fort Ord inland layout.
Which to choose if you are only playing one
Play Bayonet if your group is serious golfers, scratch to mid-handicap, and wants the hardest public test on the peninsula. The Combat Corner alone is worth the round.
Play Black Horse if your group is mixed handicap, if some players want scenery as much as challenge, or if you are pairing it with a more demanding course later in the trip and want a slightly more forgiving warm-up or wind-down round.
For most groups, the answer is both.
- · Bayonet: 74.8 rating, slope 139 — nationally ranked as one of the toughest public courses in the US
- · Black Horse: 73.7 rating, slope 141 — panoramic Monterey Bay views, slightly more forgiving for mid-handicap groups
- · Both are Par 72, 7,024 yards, same property, same green fees
- · Combat Corner (holes 11–15 at Bayonet) is the defining differentiator — a sustained wind-exposed back-nine challenge
- · Fort Ord two-day combination is the best value two-course package on the peninsula
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bayonet or Black Horse harder?▾
Bayonet is the harder course overall, with a course rating of 74.8 versus Black Horse's 73.7. However, Black Horse has a slightly higher slope (141 vs 139), meaning it is relatively harder for bogey golfers specifically. The Combat Corner at Bayonet — holes 11 through 15 playing directly into the prevailing wind — is the most difficult sustained stretch on either course.
Can you play both Bayonet and Black Horse in one day?▾
Technically yes, but most groups split them across two days for a proper experience. Both are full 18-hole courses at 7,024 yards from the back tees. Playing both in one day is a long golf day and does not do justice to either course.
Which course has better views, Bayonet or Black Horse?▾
Black Horse. Monterey Bay views are present throughout the round at Black Horse, particularly on the back nine. Bayonet has some Bay views but the course routing puts more emphasis on the military-heritage terrain than the ocean scenery.
How much does it cost to play Bayonet and Black Horse?▾
Green fees vary by season and tee time. Contact Monterey Golf Tours for current rates — we coordinate tee times at both courses as part of Monterey Peninsula golf packages for groups of 2 to 400.