Black Horse: #1
Black Horse: View from #1
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4.6
1350 Reviews (1350)
5 Stars
786
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
93.4%
Recommend this course
1245 out of 1350 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
94.3%
Recommend this course
33 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
67 Reviews (67)
5 Stars
47
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.0%
Recommend this course
63 out of 67 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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.6
1350 Reviews (1350)

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 Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

PGA tour greens

Played both courses back to back days & both were very well maintained from tee to greens...I thought I was a decent putter until I played these courses...I had read reviews on fast greens before I booked rounds here...greens r no joke.!!...greens seem like walking on concrete but a lot smoother...so if u r into that enjoy!! I think they probably don’t water them to avoid getting divots..mabey they get a little softer when the fog is in or after a good rain

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

I Give!

I've played this course many, many times. The last three or four times I realized that I don't really enjoy it. Yes. It is tough, but at my age, I don't want tough anymore, I want, more or less, level lies and a hope in holy heck that I can stop an approach shot somewhere near the hole. It's more work than play. No matter where you hit the ball, including right down the middle, you have an uneven lie. No more of that. I will play Bayonet from now on. Today was my last round at Black Horse.

The greens are cut so short that you are essentially putting on clay mud. Course conditions are ratty and dried out. The fairways are cut so tight that you need perfect contact. How many of us these days want to play off hardpan because we are perfect ball strikers?

The greens have always been cartoonish out there but now that they are rolling at 10-plus on the Stimp meter, you really could not get a ball to stop on the green. While I like slick greens, they need to be able to receive approach shots. Everything is just SO dried out. My best guess is that they do not have enough money to keep the water on.

Just an overall lousy experience. Black Horse has lost its mojo.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Good value for premium course

2nd time golfing black horse....each time do better...beautifil

Day and view of monterey bay and surroundings.

Players friendly and the pace was fine for seniors..The range balls were new and seemed to go further which was a great way to start our round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best value for your 4

Third time Weve played Black Horse and each time we get better since we are more familiar with the greens and fairways. Pace seemed better than most courses and everyone was friendly and would stop to chat thruout the day. Although some of the fairways are long, each time we play, we are surprised how more confortable we become and make better shots, We also had a pleasant

experience @ the golf range and the practice balls were brand new and seemed to go further. All in all it was a pleasant day of golf

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great courses

Beautiful view from both courses no water hazards.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Love this Course

I absolutely love this course. It is beautiful, but challenging; I get humbled every time I play here. Lots of elevation change, FAST greens. It was a little wet but I think that is due to the weather during this time of year.

I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to challenge them selves, or of the have friends in town and they want to impress them without spending a fortune playing in Pebble Beach!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Early New Years gift

Today we were treated to a spectacular blue sky winter day with sunshine. The course was in surprisingly good shape considering recent rain. The pace of play was under 4 hours which is a treat on such a tough course. Omg the greens can be tough but fair as long as you are under the hole. Staff was super friendly and given we received a local rate the deal was out of this world. Best day ever. 5 stars to the staff in the shop and out on the greens. Recommend in highly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 76
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Winter golf

Went out solo on a cold crisp cloudy day. The driving range was pretty empty. A nice couple let me play through on the first hole which was a great start. No one in front so it made for a nice relaxing round of golf. I did see a lot of grounds keepers which added to the challenge on some of the holes. The greens are super fast and challenging as always. Had a great time and will be back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
First Time Playing

Great track and a good value.

Really pleasant experience. Course was a little soggy after a week of rain but overall in surprisingly good conditions. Challenging but fun. Personnel was pleasant & attentive. Only critique was the lightning fast tournament greens, but that speaks more to my putting than anything. Definite recommend.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 42
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stay below the hole!

Great layout and beautiful scenery. Wet from the recent rains but still very playable! Greens can be cruel to less than great shots and putts but birdies can be had too.

Come try it if you haven’t already and you’ll want to come back.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Previously Played
Windy weather
Walked

One of my favorite CA courses for the money

When I travel to the Valley for work I sometimes get extra time to play. One my favorite destinations is here. Both courses give the perfect amount of challenge with great views of the Pacific. I have heard many people over the years comment that these two courses are somewhat of a hidden gym. Would always recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful course, tough greens, good times!

Blackhorse is one of my favorite places to play, and I love the that you can see the ocean! The course layout is challenging, and the greens are sometimes unforgiving, but that’s what makes it fun!

WARNING: Often you will land on the green and you’ll start talking trash to your competition, only to turn back around and see your ball rolling off the green into a drainage hole!

Just go out and enjoy the scenery, good friendships, and memories made....

Fore!!!!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good course good value

Always a treat, fair but tough, especially the greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Incentivized Review
3.0
First Time Playing

Sand?

I liked this course but at the cost I would have expected sand in the sand traps. This course has more sand traps than any course I have ever played. But only 2 traps had actual sand. This make it nearly impossible to successfully play this course.

The rest of the course was in very good condition with very fast and tough greens.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Paul Goff

Excellent golf courses, The greens are the biggest test.

They are firm and fast with plenty of undulation. Staff & facilities are great. Great views & location.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Great course and great deal. Would definitely recommend. Play here whenever I’m in area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course

Great place to play in Monterey Bay area- highly recommend.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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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.

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 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.

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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