“Serious golfers and bucket-list playerswill find this course most rewarding.”
Bayonet sits on the grounds of the former Fort Ord military base, purchased by the US Army in 1917. General Robert B. McClure, the post's commanding officer, designed the course in 1954 — reportedly to suit his own left-handed game. Hole 15, part of a demanding stretch that runs holes 11 through 15, carries the course's famous "Combat Corner" nickname. The course is named for the 7th Infantry, the "Bayonet Division."
Fort Ord was decommissioned in the 1990s, and Bayonet opened to public play on January 16, 1997. A Gene Bates redesign completed in 2007 refreshed the layout while keeping the demanding, military-pedigree character intact.
At 7,024 yards from the back tees (rating 74.8, slope 139), Bayonet is ranked among the toughest public courses in the country — Golf Digest placed it No. 35 nationwide on its list of the 50 Toughest Golf Courses in the United States, and Destinations Magazine ranks it the 13th most challenging course in California. It has hosted PGA Tour qualifiers and players including Billy Andrade, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, and the Nationwide Tour's Monterey Peninsula Classic was held here from 2000 to 2003.
Managed by Troon, with Patrick R. Jones, PGA serving as General Manager. The practice facility includes an all-grass driving range with 6 practice tees, two short-game areas, and a putting green overlooking Monterey Bay.
Bayonet is a natural anchor for a Monterey Peninsula golf trip — typically paired with Black Horse for a two-day Fort Ord combination, or mixed with a Pebble Beach round for groups who want the contrast between a military-heritage championship and a clifftop links. Monterey Golf Tours regularly includes Bayonet in 3- and 5-day Monterey golf packages for groups of all sizes.
Photos
The Combat Corner — Bayonet's notorious back-nine stretch that turns directly into the prevailing wind.
Fairways carved from former Fort Ord military land — the history is in the terrain.
Bayonet's championship layout plays to a slope of 141 from the tips — among the toughest on the peninsula.
Elevated approach shots with distant Monterey Bay views on the back nine.
The green complexes at Bayonet demand precision — undulating and fast.
Course highlights
Worth knowing
Ranked #16 nationally on GolfPass's Top 25 Courses for Layout in the US (2017).
Has hosted several U.S. Presidents and foreign dignitaries during the course's Fort Ord military era.
Local lore holds that designer Gen. Robert McClure, a left-hander, laid out the course to favor his own slice.
The practice facility includes an all-grass driving range, two short-game areas, and a putting green overlooking Monterey Bay.
- · Serious golfers and bucket-list players
- · Scratch to mid-handicap groups
- · Anyone wanting a genuine championship test
- · Your group is mostly high-handicap beginners
- · You want a relaxed, low-pressure round
- Green fee
- Contact us for current rates (verify current rates)
- Address
- 1 McClure Way, Seaside, CA 93955
- Phone
- (831) 899-7271
- Website
- bayonetblackhorse.com
Nearby courses
Bayonet
Closest hotels
Drive times approximate. Verify with Google Maps before booking transport.
Common questions
Is Bayonet open to the public?+−
Yes. Bayonet is semi-private and open to public play, with group bookings accommodated through the facility.
How difficult is Bayonet?+−
It's ranked among the toughest public courses in the country — No. 35 nationally on Golf Digest's list of the 50 Toughest Golf Courses in the United States. Built for serious and scratch-to-mid-handicap players; high-handicap beginners may find it punishing.
Who designed Bayonet?+−
Gen. Robert B. McClure designed the original course in 1954. Gene Bates completed a redesign in 2007.
What's the green fee at Bayonet?+−
Rates vary by season and tee time — contact us for current green fees before booking.
Can groups book Bayonet?+−
Yes, Bayonet accommodates group events. Contact the facility directly or work with Monterey Golf Tours to coordinate tee times as part of a planned trip.
Can I include Bayonet in a Monterey golf package?+−
Yes. Monterey Golf Tours includes Bayonet in Monterey Peninsula golf packages for groups of 2 to 400. It’s commonly paired with Black Horse for a Fort Ord two-day combination, or mixed into a broader peninsula itinerary alongside Pebble Beach and Laguna Seca. Contact us to build a custom quote.