Every time I go back to this place I'm reminded about how much you get for your money. This course is always in top shape, and for under 100 dollars I think it could be one of the best deals for quali... Continue »

Every time I go back to this place I'm reminded about how much you get for your money. This course is always in top shape, and for under 100 dollars I think it could be one of the best deals for quality and challenge in California. Bayonet can be a brutal challenge with its narrow tree lined fairways, but I think the greens here are a little less tricky than Black Horse. Also, there are some incredibly long par 4s which force you to battle your way uphill to blind greens. With that said, keep it in the fairway and there's not too many tricks here. Some condition updates: fairways were fantastic, some divots in popular landing/layup areas, but overall in fantastic shape. Greens were also super fast, not soft for winter conditions, but still more receptive than I've seen during the summer. Overall they were fast and true, excellent condition. Sand was also fantastic, very fluffy and pretty easy to consistently judge shots.

A final note, if you book as NCGA member on their site, this doesn't include a cart and is a little tricky on their part. You can book a regular rate or golfnow rate (which both include cart) for less than the price it cost me to add a cart to the walking NCGA rate.

Great conditions overall. A wonderful facility with great views (we were there on a sunny day). A course you should play if in the area. This course will be all you can handle. Many of the approaches ... Continue »

Great conditions overall. A wonderful facility with great views (we were there on a sunny day). A course you should play if in the area. This course will be all you can handle. Many of the approaches are up hill and the green surface is not visible, you cannot run the ball onto the greens in most cases. Greens are quite large with significant slopes, speeds were probably 11 and putting was brutal, do not go above the hole. Trying to stay below the pin has its downside also, well bunkered, and on 9 to a front left pin my ball spun back and then 35 yards back down the slope in front. Trees line most of the holes and fairways look tighter than they are. The trees have been cut back and trimmed up so finding balls that are in the trees is possible and you usually have some kind of shot. Did I say “this is all the course you can handle”? I’ll come back and get beat up again.

Went off 1 @7:00 got around in just a tad less than 4 hrs. Super condition and design. Very interesting holes and in really nice shape. What a cool feel in the cypress and pine trees. Very inexpensive... Continue »

Went off 1 @7:00 got around in just a tad less than 4 hrs. Super condition and design. Very interesting holes and in really nice shape. What a cool feel in the cypress and pine trees. Very inexpensive at just $60 via Golfnow. If in Monterey and you want to play a great course and save a few $$ since you might be blowing some at the Pebble properties.....give this one a go. I'll be back!

Played 2/22/14 8:10 am POP. 4 hrs Course is in very good shape. Fairways near perfection. Greens rolled true and receptive. Many have slopes that fall away from your approach so hitting to the ri... Continue »

Played 2/22/14 8:10 am POP. 4 hrs Course is in very good shape. Fairways near perfection. Greens rolled true and receptive. Many have slopes that fall away from your approach so hitting to the right location is key. Luckily I was paired with someone who knew the course well. Fun and beautiful holes. One of my top 5 courses I've played.

Finished up my 3 round golf mini-vacation by playing Bayonet on 12/28 as a single. I had a 8:40AM tee time for only $85, which I thought was a steal compared to the cost to play weekend golf in the B... Continue »

Finished up my 3 round golf mini-vacation by playing Bayonet on 12/28 as a single. I had a 8:40AM tee time for only $85, which I thought was a steal compared to the cost to play weekend golf in the Bay Area. This is another course that I never played, but always wanted to. I can't believe I waited this long!

The conditions were cool and clear with an off-shore breeze that made itself known on the back nine which sits on higher, less protected ground. I do believe the non-prevailing wind from the east to north/east probably made the course play easier as the #2 handicap hole (#13) played straight downhill & downwind and I was left with a little flip wedge from 80 yds out. Also, 18 played like a long par four being downhill & downwind. The upwind holes all played uphill so your ball was more protected from the wind getting a hold of it. Just my observation.

What a beautiful course. I love the cypress trees and the old-school layout that is dictated by contours, trees and bunkers. There are no gimmicks here. I counted zero water hazards and zero forced carries. However, this course is a great test of your complete golf game. The course is playing fast and firm due to the dry and cold winter conditions. Overall, the course is in country club condition except for the fairways that are just very thin with many filled and unfilled divots. At least the turf was soft enough to allow you swing down and through the ball sitting in the fairway. I played as a single between 2 threesomes and that allowed me to play course superintendent between shots. I probably used 8 bottles of divot mix doing repairs. Pace of play was fantastic, the round took 3.75 hours.

Because the course was playing so firm you really had to watch out on approach shots. The pin placement on #2 (handicap 1) and #17 were both back right on down slopes that fall away from you. In both cases I felt I played a career approach shot that just trickled over the top edge and should feed perfectly to the hole. In both cases I was long in the rough. At least the next shot was straight uphill.

Definitely get out to this course if you like a good test of traditional golf!

Played Bayonet on 12/7...a beautiful course, in overall very good condition, that showed me how a benign-looking course could have some pretty large teeth. For winter time conditions, Bayonet was in ... Continue »

Played Bayonet on 12/7...a beautiful course, in overall very good condition, that showed me how a benign-looking course could have some pretty large teeth. For winter time conditions, Bayonet was in great condition on the tees & greens and in the bunkers...the fairways had taken some beatings by golfers who did not see fit to replace/repair their divots, but it didn't detract from the play, only the image. This is a pretty tough course, especially taking into account I hadn't played in two months and I can't remember the last time I played on a Saturday, A bit held up on the front nine by a slower 4-some, but they quit at the turn so was no longer an issue. It was VERY windy and just a bit chilly, but it was a good experience nevertheless and one I hope to repeat someday and play Black Horse as well. Friendly, courteous staff.

Played here on 12/8 as part of my annual trip to Monterey. This course is standout in almost every way. Sure it pales in comparison to Pebble or any of their properties but I really enjoy playing here... Continue »

Played here on 12/8 as part of my annual trip to Monterey. This course is standout in almost every way. Sure it pales in comparison to Pebble or any of their properties but I really enjoy playing here. From the spectacular conditions to the friendly staff, Bayonet is a must-play in case you are in the Monterey area.

Tees: Good. Flat surfaces to hit from and plenty of green. Various tee-boxes offered for every skill level.

Fairways: Amazing. Not only are they cut perfectly but they offered true roll on drives, excellent ground for approach shots and carts are equipped with special mix that once filled, makes divots disappear from sight.

Rough: Tough stuff. Well kept and long in certain areas. The most penalizing part of the course is certainly the trees though. Landing in the forest forces you to play smart golf.

Greens: Excellent shape. Not overly fast but breaks can be hard to read at times. Even with wicked undulation on some of the greens, putting isn't impossible here.

Etc: Staff was very friendly and welcoming. The layout might seem a little straightforward to start but it does vary more in the back 9. An excellent option and alternative to the triple digit courses that line the coast.

This is the first time I have played here since the remodel. The clubhouse is much like it was in the old days, some parts remodeled with the outside being restored. I played here many times when in... Continue »

This is the first time I have played here since the remodel. The clubhouse is much like it was in the old days, some parts remodeled with the outside being restored. I played here many times when in the service and after in the 80s. This was great course and always reminded me of pinehurst #2. It was long, tight with small fast greens. They have made it into a cookie cutter resort course. They traded a couple of Black Horse holes with Bayonet, added bunkers, contoured and increased the size of the greens, and shaped them. Some changes for the good but for me I didn't much care for it. Oh, by the way houses are finding their way onto the golf course as well.
As far as conditions are concerned, I was very disappointed with the condition and speed of the greens. There was sand around the entire fringe, the actual greens were thin and firm, with a speed of 8.5 to 9.5. Worse yet the speed was very inconsistent. The best part of the course are the bunkers, the sand is firm and just the right amount to make bunker play fun. The fairways are very good with thick carpet of grass easy to hit off of. The tee boxes are average level and somewhat thin but ok. Overall I was glad I only payed $59 to play because in this condition it is not a $100 course no matter where it is.
Sorry I couldn't be more kind, but I'm more of a traditionalist, may the old boy rest in peace.

Played this week under blue skies and cool but comfortable temps. We had the course to ourselves and played in 3.5 hours. Have not played here since the remodel and was very glad I came back to play t... Continue »

Played this week under blue skies and cool but comfortable temps. We had the course to ourselves and played in 3.5 hours. Have not played here since the remodel and was very glad I came back to play this great course. They have made this course one of the great ones on the Monterey peninsula in my opinion. The fairways; greens; bunkers; removal of trees have made this course truly better than it was before. Was happy to see the clubhouse was retained in its glory to remind those of us who made Ft Ord our home (you know who you are). When in the area you need to play this fine course. I look forward to going back and playing Black Horse the next time.