Black Horse: #1
Black Horse: View from #1
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Rating Index Rating
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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 156
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
San Francisco Advisor
Previously Played

Average conditions at premium price

I love the layout of Blackhorse. Always have and always will. In fact it used to be my home course. Sadly conditions are starting to slip a bit, yet prices are going up. They are charging premium prices for average conditions. Something needs to change. 3 of the greens were heavily diseased and had dirt areas. Bunkers had thin amount of sand, fairways have thin spots. This is prime spring golf time. Conditions should be better.

For the mid week price the course is worth it but for the much higher weekend prices , I’d skip it

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Great course-hadn't played it in a few years but it's as good as ever. It's a challenging track-especially in the wind-so bring your A game.

Nice views of the ocean on a few holes which add to the experience

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Not quite up to Par

We have played here for years and conditions were not quite a a years past

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Go to place to play when in Monterey. Tough but fun.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course

A great course which challenges you to put your ball in the right spot. Most difficult thing about this course is the greens which have many false fronts and sloping backs/sides. Miss your target or if you're unsure of where to hit the green and good luck as there didn't seem to be many easy up and downs.

Will definitely play this again with a little more on course knowledge on where to hit it.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

It was OK

This is about my 12th time playing and even though the course conditions were good, it was in the poorest shape of all the times I played previously. Our group teed off at 8:20 on a Sunday and finished exactly at 12;20, 4 hours. On hole 6, a short, drivable par 4, the marshal stormed onto the green as we were putting and told us we were too slow because the group on the tee was waiting to drive the green. Our group had words with him and forced us to wait on tee 7 and allow the 4 some to pass. Now, this group was holding us up. Whatever, we got over it after we had a few choice words. The greens were way too dry and were really hard to hold. 3 of us have indexes below 4 and we did not repair a mark on the green all day because none were made,. We will be back though, it is a good course.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 48
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Slow play

Had fun playing but readily need to br more stick on play had to wait 6 mints each hole just to tee of but it was Saturday morning so no complaints. But the guy I pkYiex with rushed me but then again got to play golf love the cries of Monteray shoelinr

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Weather was perfect. Greens hard, fast and undulating. Great layout, great views. I'm an east coast golfer, not used to grass types. O yeah, lots of bunkers, most in the wrong places for my game. I will be back.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good fun, challenging greens

Pros - good value, great ocean views, greens in good condition, decent pace of play, nice practice facility, friendly staff.

Cons - need a marshal to improve pace of play (some groups extremely slow), lots of damage to course from animals (squirrels).

Overall - the pros outweigh the cons .

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good round

I had a good round at Blackhorse. I made the mistake of assuming that the GolfNow rate was the same as the walk up rate. Turns out the GolfNow rate was about 30% less than the counter rate.

So when I went in as a walk up single, they advise I could get the NCGA rate (I’m a member) but did not mention the GolfNow rate. I thought it was odd and paid the full amount. I went to check GolfNow and saw they difference. They happily refunded my fee and let me use the GolfNow rate.

The course appeared to have some maintenance going on, appeared that the fairways were rolled?? They seemed flattened which made for tighter lies. Assume this is part of the normal maintenance cycle. I did not see any fairway punching, but maybe just a few small spots around greens ( greens were fine and not punched)

There was no starter to send me off but it was super slow so no biggie. I played fast and easily completed before sundown for my twilight tee time.

I relay enjoy this course and would recommend it. I also recommend the bar/restaurant the food is excellent.

Thanks Jeff

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

No grass

I don’t believe this golf course could get any worse. The greens are basically mud with some blades of grass coming out, the fairways are not much better. The only positive development is that Troon golf has taken over and I hope to see some changes soon. This course used to be a lot of fun to play but right now I would stay away at least for a year or more.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
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Golf Packages

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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