Black Horse: #1
Black Horse: View from #1
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4.5
1346 Reviews (1346)
5 Stars
782
4 Stars
415
3 Stars
100
2 Stars
34
1 Stars
15
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.3
93.2%
Recommend this course
1241 out of 1346 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
31 Reviews (31)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.5%
Recommend this course
29 out of 31 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
68 Reviews (68)
5 Stars
47
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.1%
Recommend this course
64 out of 68 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Black Horse delivers a highly rated layout with immaculate conditions and panoramic Monterey Bay views that consistently impress. Exceptional value for the Monterey Peninsula, combined with friendly staff and a smooth pace of play, makes every round rewarding.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7025 yards
Slope 136
Rating 73.9

Following a $13 million renovation at this 36-hole former military facility, Black Horse Golf Course was not only dramatically improved, but now comparable to its more revered sister course, Bayonet. Black Horse has long been considered the easier of the two, but that's not exactly a given now with the improvements and lengthening by golf course architect Gene Bates. Its serrated bunkers may be a little easier to get out of than the cavernous craters on Bayonet, and the fairways are little more generous, but Black Horse makes up for it with more undulating and difficult greens. The renovation also opened up the views to Monterey Bay for both courses. Trees were trimmed, and both courses now have an overall cleaner look, especially with the latest bentgrass turf from tee to green.

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Black Horse Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1964
Fairways Rye Grass
Greens Jacklin T1 Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Gene Bates (2008) Chris Gray (1998)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - $20 - $25
GPS Yes
Pull-carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "Bayonet Black Horse Golf Academy & Performance Center"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

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Reviews

4.5
1346 Reviews (1346)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 71
19th Hole Scenic Views 44
Patio Dining 38
Course Challenges Include:
Undulating Greens 106
Bunkers 100
Elevation Changes 78
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 97
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 72
A Weekend Splurge 60
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 84
Convenient to the City 57
Near Local Attractions 54

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This course is the best value for the money on the Monterrey Peninsula. It is challenging without being too difficult and it will require shots from every club in your bag. The elevation changes are challenging and the views can be spectacular.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Disappointed

Slow play with the marshal doing NOTHING to speed up play. Fairways patchy and greens bumpy.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Easier than Bayonet, great value

Fun course. Shorter and easier layout than Bayonet. I would say 5/6 strokes less. A few dry spots in the fairways. Greens were just aerated but it may help since they usually cut the greens soooo short. Will definitely mix this one in the rotation along with other bargain friendly Monterey courses.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very very poor condition….

I’m utterly disappointed and felt embarrassed to bring my friends from socal I invited. (We we’re two foursomes) One, the greens had so many patches of bare spots and the fairways too, we felt like we were playing on an uneven concrete surfaces. Two, they were building houses in between and around the fairways. Dust and noise from the construction interfered with our play. It is a shame. They should have warned us before they charge $115 per person.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 13
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fairway patchey

Fairways in poor condition. Was not told green resent punch out

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Poor conditions.

Greens were in terrible conditions and course was under renovation as was not informed. Greens were all punched, muddy, and I ruined a club. I would like a complete refund.

The staff was amazing, drinks and food was great, but unfortunately we went the dining experience, there fir the golf experience and overall a bad one.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Recently Aerated

It’s been punched recently. Tee boxes, fairways, greens. FYI before you book….

But I’ve played here many times and it’s a fantastic course. Hard course and challenging. Builds character

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Beautiful!

Beautiful area. I expected the course to be in nicer condition, the greens are hard anyways and dry right now. It's wonderful, and a privilege to be out there but I have seen it better. There was not a drink cart, but it was a weds. Pace of play was excellent, didn't wait once. Worth the value for sure.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great people, disappointing conditions

The black horse course was in rough shape. It’s got the potential to be great; however, the condition the course was in was subpar. The fairways and the greens were patchy. Some areas were missing grass altogether. It was not worth the full value they charged. On the upside, the staff was super friendly and they had a nice pro shop.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent Course

Played this course with my brother and cousins. Great course to play with awesome views. Greens were very well taken care of. Highly recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

No Food

My friends and I love the course and staff are great, but the kitchen is always closed when we finish so we have to go elsewhere for food and drinks.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good layout. Tough greens

Good course with some nice views. Really challenging greens so get good at reading.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Give It Time

Magnificent greens are a thing of the past. They are playable but were the best ever back in 2000 to 2009. They have slowly deteriorated since then. The fairways as well need attention. Great food, great staff and maintenance crew. The science of maintaining the greens are gone here.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Tough but enjoyable

Nice tract - elevation changes so tough to walk but good workout. Good condition - greens hard and not receptive to long approaches - must miss in right spot - challenging undulations on greens. Good Luck

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good Challenge

Lucky we had rain a few days before to soften the greens. Course was in good condition, but the greens we are little thin. We were told new management company just took it over. Will play again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

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MONTEREY, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Hyatt Regency Monterey Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Poppy Hills Golf Course, Bayonet Course, Black Horse Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

The Inn At Spanish Bay Stay & Play Package

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Inn at Spanish Bay and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

The Casa Palmero – Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.

La Quinta Resort & Club Stay & Play Package

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LA QUINTA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at La Quinta Resort & Club and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of PGA WEST - Nicklaus Tournament Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Mountain Course, PGA WEST - Greg Norman Course, PGA WEST - Pete Dye Dunes Course, and PGA WEST - The Pete Dye Stadium Course.

The Lodge At Pebble Beach Stay & Play Package

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course.
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