“Groups wanting a genuine test without Bayonet's full difficultywill find this course most rewarding.”
Black Horse shares its origin with Bayonet on the grounds of the former Fort Ord military base. Designed alongside Bayonet by General Robert B. McClure in 1954 and refreshed in a 2007 Gene Bates redesign, Black Horse offers fescue-framed fairways and sweeping views of Monterey Bay throughout the round.
Where Bayonet has built its reputation as one of the toughest public tests in the country, Black Horse plays as the more approachable of the two Fort Ord courses — still a genuine championship-caliber layout, but with a bit more forgiveness for a wider range of handicaps.
Both courses operate under the same Bayonet & Black Horse facility, 5 miles from downtown Monterey, and are a natural multi-round pairing for groups spending a few days on the peninsula.
⚠️ Car Week note: The annual Concorso Italiano (Monterey Car Week, August) is held on these grounds — both courses may be unavailable during that event week. Confirm dates before booking any August round.
Black Horse works well as the more accessible half of a Fort Ord two-day combination with Bayonet, or as a standalone round for groups that want Monterey Bay views without the difficulty level of a championship course. It’s a common starting point for Monterey golf trip itineraries that need to accommodate a range of handicaps.
Photos
Panoramic Monterey Bay views open up on the back nine — on a clear day you can see across to Santa Cruz.
Black Horse's fescue-framed fairways give it a links character that Bayonet, its sister course, doesn't have.
Slope 132 from the tips — more forgiving than Bayonet, but the Bay wind makes every score honest.
Black Horse Golf Course — Fort Ord's more forgiving twin, with Monterey Bay views opening on the back nine.
Fescue-framed fairways at Black Horse — the links character that separates it from its sister course Bayonet.
Course highlights
Worth knowing
Named for the 11th Cavalry Regiment 'Black Horse,' stationed at the Presidio of Monterey from 1919 to 1940.
The sweeping Monterey Bay views from Black Horse's fairways are among the best on the peninsula.
Savvy groups play both Bayonet and Black Horse in the same two-day stretch — same facility, distinct challenges.
- · Groups wanting a genuine test without Bayonet's full difficulty
- · Mid-handicap players
- · Pairing with a Bayonet round for a two-course Fort Ord day
- · You specifically want the hardest test on the peninsula (that's Bayonet)
- 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
Black Horse
Closest hotels
Drive times approximate. Verify with Google Maps before booking transport.
Common questions
Is Black Horse harder or easier than Bayonet?+−
Black Horse is generally considered the more approachable of the two Fort Ord courses, though it's still a genuine championship-caliber test.
Can I play both Bayonet and Black Horse in one trip?+−
Yes — both courses share the same facility and clubhouse, making a two-round day or back-to-back booking straightforward.
Who designed Black Horse?+−
Gen. Robert B. McClure designed the original course in 1954, the same year as Bayonet. Gene Bates completed a redesign in 2007.
What's the green fee at Black Horse?+−
Rates vary by season and tee time — contact us for current green fees before booking.
How far is Black Horse from downtown Monterey?+−
Both Bayonet and Black Horse sit about 5 miles from downtown Monterey, within the same facility.
Can I book Black Horse as part of a Monterey golf trip?+−
Yes. Monterey Golf Tours regularly includes Black Horse in Monterey golf packages — most often paired with Bayonet for a two-day Fort Ord combination, or as the value-friendly round in a multi-course itinerary. It’s a good fit for mixed-handicap groups that want a proper championship layout.