Public

The Bayonet Course

Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses

Seaside, CA, USA
#1679World

Public: #693

#1477USA

Public: #520

#114CA

Public: #48

dk10
AJGCTPGA
HeathBradleyGolf
andrewlamour
Ozzie
+56

About this course

Bayonet and Black Horse, carved into the Monterey Peninsula hills above Seaside, stand as a testament to military precision adapted for championship golf. These courses, named for Operation Bayonet, a military action during WWII, and the 1st US Cavalry's steed, offer distinctly different challenges across the dramatic coastal landscape. Bayonet, the elder of the two, is a demanding, tree-lined layout. Originally designed by General Robert B. McClure in the early 1950s, it demands accuracy and strategic play. The tight fairways, framed by towering Monterey pines, often favor a controlled fade, punishing wayward drives. The course saw significant enhancements in the late 1990s by Gene Bates, modernizing its playability while preserving its stern character. Black Horse, its younger sibling, offers broader fairways and more forgiving sight lines, encouraging a more aggressive approach. While neither course has hosted major professional championships, their challenging layouts and breathtaking views have made them popular destinations for regional and amateur competitions. Bayonet, in particular, has a reputation for its stringent test, making it a favorite for those who appreciate a classically unforgiving, strategic round of golf on the Monterey Peninsula.

Quick facts

Location
Seaside, CA, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1954
Holes
18
Designer
Gene Bates
Par
72
Length
7,104 yards
Difficulty
74.8/141
Course Vaults score
7.7

Getting there

The journey to Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses begins at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), a compact coastal gateway just twenty minutes south by car, or alternatively through San Jose International (SJO) for those with broader connection options, followed by a ninety-minute drive down the scenic spine of California's Central Coast. The final approach winds through the windswept dunes and maritime pines of the Monterey Peninsula, transitioning from Highway 1's dramatic clifftop vistas into the quieter, fog-kissed streets of Seaside, a former military landscape now transformed into one of the West Coast's most compelling golf destinations. Here, on the grounds of the decommissioned Fort Ord, the two courses emerge from native coastal scrub and sand, their routing a masterwork of constraint and possibility - a fitting reward for the journey through one of America's most storied golfing regions.

FAQ

Common questions about The Bayonet at Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

The Bayonet at Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses has a Course Vaults score of 7.7 out of 10 based on 61 logged golfers.

The Bayonet was designed by Gene Bates.

Yes. The Bayonet at Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at The Bayonet is 72.

The Bayonet plays 7,104 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at The Bayonet is 141.

250,000+
Course Reviews
+ 4.8
App Store

How many courses have you played?

Download Course Vaults on iOS and begin your golf legacy.

Course Vaults on three iPhones: player passport, map discovery, and course detail