
The Bayonet Course
Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Courses

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.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in CA
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 58 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.




