Bayonet OR Black Horse in Monterey?

[shaneyank]

I can only play **one** this coming Friday. Which do you recommend and are you aware of any current maintenance?

 

P.S. anyone want to join for a 7:00am - 7:30am tee-time on Friday June 7th? Otherwise I'm solo. I'm attending a wedding in the area and have to play at that time. Only $89 on GolfNow!

[ASN21]

Black Horse is more open and "easier". Bayonet is one of the toughest courses in the area. All depends on what you are looking for!

[shaneyank]

> @ASN21 said:

> Black Horse is more open and "easier". Bayonet is one of the toughest courses in the area. All depends on what you are looking for!

 

That is indeed what I read about. The tightness of Bayonet concerns me but I reckon I'm up for the challenge. I'll play from the blues so hopefully won't find myself in jail too often.

[buzlin]

I found this to be the opposite. Mainly because I thought Black Horse was super tricked up and you need course knowledge to play it well, especially on and around the greens. Bayonet, may be more difficult, but to me it's more straight forward. I love Bayonet (played it 3 times) and I despised Black Horse (only played once) and put it on a very short list of courses I never wanted to play again (and by short, it's all by it's lonesome). Hahahaha, clearly I wasn't having the best day.

[RSinSG]

I played Black Horse last July and parts of it were not in very good shape. The fairway bunkers were really shabby and overall I found it to be not as maintained as I remember it from 10 years ago. It could be they were having some issues but I was disappointed. I also played Bayonet 10 years ago prior to the major remodel they did when they took out many trees. It was a beast then and it still looks difficult. For sure hitting straight drives is important.

[jjr]

Bayonet, no question! Combat Corner holes 11 through 15 are tough but a great track

[tad950]

Bayonet is the better course. A lot of people don't like Blackhorse because they find some of the holes quirky.

[Skydiver22]

Have a buddy that played on the Golden state tour for a couple years... then the PGA tour. He always told me that combat corner was tougher than amen corner...

[rangersgoalie]

> @Skydiver22 said:

> Have a buddy that played in the Golden state tour for a couple years... then the PGA tour. He always tell me that combat corner is tougher than amen corner...

 

Used to be....the course has been sterilized from its quirky, brutally difficult past.

Bayonet was always a unique course, now it’s arguable nicer and more playable,

But in my opinion, a pale version of the original asskicker

 

 

[rbark11]

Played bayonet about a month ago. Super difficult course, but it is beautiful

[RSinSG]

> @rangersgoalie said:

 

> But in my opinion, a pale version of the original asskicker

>

I agree. During the remodel they removed over 800 trees just from Black Horse and many from Bayonet. They got rid of the unfriendly kikuyu grass fairways and poa annua greens and replaced those with bentgrass. Both are still a test, but not nearly as punishing on errant shots.

[shaneyank]

To round this out, I had a great day playing Bayonet. The layout was not as hard as I expected (playing from the blues), but it was definitely not easy. Surprisingly, I found the greens pretty tough. Many false fronts and the downhill puts where very hard to get right.

 

It's a long course. I was routinely hitting 5i into par fours after a solid drive. But there are a few short par fours that you can hit a wedge into.

 

Overall, the course is well maintained and provides a good test. For $89, it's brilliant value. It certainly helped that the weather was perfect.

[tad950]

> @RSinSG said:

> > @rangersgoalie said:

>

> > But in my opinion, a pale version of the original asskicker

> >

> I agree. During the remodel they removed over 800 trees just from Black Horse and many from Bayonet. They got rid of the unfriendly kikuyu grass fairways and poa annua greens and replaced those with bentgrass. Both are still a test, but not nearly as punishing on errant shots.

 

They also did a lot of tree trimming at Bayonet. The limbs of the pines used to be almost to ground level.

[lchang]

I've heard some conflicting comments recently about the conditions at Bayonet/Black Horse.  I haven't been there a long time, but plan on being there in a couple months.  Anyone have any information and opinions they can share?

[doc52]

13 hours ago, lchang said:

I've heard some conflicting comments recently about the conditions at Bayonet/Black Horse.  I haven't been there a long time, but plan on being there in a couple months.  Anyone have any information and opinions they can share?

Played Black Horse in September and conditions were just fine. The greens were in good shape.

[rzitup]

On 4/9/2023 at 7:19 PM, lchang said:

I've heard some conflicting comments recently about the conditions at Bayonet/Black Horse.  I haven't been there a long time, but plan on being there in a couple months.  Anyone have any information and opinions they can share?

 

I have some friends there right now, conditions are as bad as I have ever seen (from the pictures being sent).  Construction all over the place, fairways are terrible.  

[Damenace613]

6 hours ago, rzitup said:

 

I have some friends there right now, conditions are as bad as I have ever seen (from the pictures being sent).  Construction all over the place, fairways are terrible.  

That's unfortunate as I'm planning on being there in a few weeks...

[rzitup]

12 hours ago, Damenace613 said:

That's unfortunate as I'm planning on being there in a few weeks...

This is what was sent to me... IMG_5256.heic

70656197971__A3B5E00D-B6DD-49D4-A8EA-E2E40C3FF621.heic IMG_2335.heic IMG_5253.heic IMG_7161.HEIC IMG_8297.HEIC IMG_8296.HEIC 70655214590__4F0556B7-8DEF-4DFD-870F-B7E1AEA73ABC.heic IMG_5246.heic IMG_5245.heic IMG_7160.HEIC IMG_5244.heic IMG_7155.heic IMG_5241.heic

[Damenace613]

I can only see one of the images but it doesn't look great from that one image. 

 

Are the images from both courses? Thanks! 

[ASN21]

Wow, very sad to see. Both courses were in excellent shape last time I was there. I think 1-2 years ago? 

[lchang]

@rzitup @Damenace613:  I downloaded and viewed those pics that rzitup sent.  Yikes--that looks terrible!  I was bringing a small group to BlackHorse in 3 weeks...but not if it looks like that!

 

I wonder a good alternative is.  (We're already playing Poppy Hills and Spanish Bay in the previous 2 days....)

[Damenace613]

6 hours ago, lchang said:

@rzitup @Damenace613:  I downloaded and viewed those pics that rzitup sent.  Yikes--that looks terrible!  I was bringing a small group to BlackHorse in 3 weeks...but not if it looks like that!

 

I wonder a good alternative is.  (We're already playing Poppy Hills and Spanish Bay in the previous 2 days....)

Yeah this was going to be round 1 and then I've got a similar schedule as you. Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills, and Spyglass are on the agenda in 2 weeks. 

[aloha b.]

On 5/24/2023 at 8:06 AM, rzitup said:

This is what was sent to me... IMG_5256.heic

70656197971__A3B5E00D-B6DD-49D4-A8EA-E2E40C3FF621.heic 2.55 MB · 10 downloads IMG_2335.heic 2.73 MB · 4 downloads IMG_5253.heic 2.08 MB · 3 downloads IMG_7161.HEIC 4.01 MB · 3 downloads IMG_8297.HEIC 3.79 MB · 3 downloads IMG_8296.HEIC 4.18 MB · 3 downloads 70655214590__4F0556B7-8DEF-4DFD-870F-B7E1AEA73ABC.heic 5.35 MB · 3 downloads IMG_5246.heic 1.31 MB · 3 downloads IMG_5245.heic 1.58 MB · 3 downloads IMG_7160.HEIC 2.06 MB · 4 downloads IMG_5244.heic 960.42 kB · 3 downloads IMG_7155.heic 5.2 MB · 5 downloads IMG_5241.heic 5.18 MB · 3 downloads

Too bad that they let the courses get that crappy!

[lchang]

21 minutes ago, Damenace613 said:

Yeah this was going to be round 1 and then I've got a similar schedule as you. Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills, and Spyglass are on the agenda in 2 weeks. 

 

I think I'm going with Del Monte.  Never played it, and people seem to really like that old school track.

[aloha b.]

6 hours ago, lchang said:

@rzitup @Damenace613:  I downloaded and viewed those pics that rzitup sent.  Yikes--that looks terrible!  I was bringing a small group to BlackHorse in 3 weeks...but not if it looks like that!

 

I wonder a good alternative is.  (We're already playing Poppy Hills and Spanish Bay in the previous 2 days....)

There's always Pacific Grove considered the poor man's Pebble, nice views on the back 9. I like Quail Lodge which has always been in excellent condition and it's about a 15 minute drive from Pebble. It's walkable and not too hard a course. I also like Carmel Valley Ranch which is the only Pete Dye course in NorCal. It's about 25 minutes from Pebble to Carmel Valley Ranch.

Edited May 29, 2023 by aloha b.

[aloha b.]

52 minutes ago, lchang said:

 

I think I'm going with Del Monte.  Never played it, and people seem to really like that old school track.

I don't mind Del Monte and I used to play the course often as I used to get a free round and big green fee discounts as a Duke's club member.

You could always 

play The Hay at Pebble. It's the short 9 hole course that Tiger designed, #2 is a replica of #7 at Pebble and the longest hole at 106 yds.

Edited May 29, 2023 by aloha b.

[Markd1971]

I played Del Monte twice last week and it was fantastic!  It was the first time I included it on my annual trip and it will be in the rotation going forward.  It was in immaculate shape.  Not a blade of grass out of place, lush, and green.  Greens were unbelievable.  I played Pebble two days prior and Del Monte was easily in as good of shape, and Pebble is getting ready for the Women's Open.  Super fast greens.  In fact, I was fortunate enough to play Cypress Point the day before and my friends and I could only laugh about the speed of the greens.  We showed up to Del Monte and had identical putts.  Downhill putts can easily run off the green.  The rough is thick, lush, and unpredictable.  I was 5 yards of the green on 18 in the rough and couldn't even go at the flag because the landing area was so small.  Just brutal, but fun.  It looks like you have acres of landing area on your tee shots, but the fairway is actually only half of what you see, and you better get in the short stuff, as the rough is at least a 1/2 shot penalty.  Only 6300 from the tips but like every course in the area, plays much longer.  2 par 3's played over 200 yards.  I liked the design, as well.  Enough holes that have movement left or right to keep each you paying attention.  Super friendly staff and very much of a local, public-course vibe.  My only concern is that when I return there is no way they can keep the bar set as high as when I was there last week.  Evidently, the record amount of rain they received early this year really did wonders.  I played Quail Lodge last week, as well, and same thing, super green and thick green grass.  It was amazing, as well.  Played at 3pm for only $89 on GolfNow.  Love Quail, too!  Great green complexes.  Pacific Grove early bird special is a no-brainer.  You can play the back 9 only in the first 1.5 hour of daylight for about $50.  That walk on the back nine is just good for the soul.

Edited June 1, 2023 by Markd1971

[aloha b.]

3 hours ago, Markd1971 said:

I played Del Monte twice last week and it was fantastic!  It was the first time I included it on my annual trip and it will be in the rotation going forward.  It was in immaculate shape.  Not a blade of grass out of place, lush, and green.  Greens were unbelievable.  I played Pebble two days prior and Del Monte was easily in as good of shape, and Pebble is getting ready for the Women's Open.  Super fast greens.  In fact, I was fortunate enough to play Cypress Point the day before and my friends and I could only laugh about the speed of the greens.  We showed up to Del Monte and had identical putts.  Downhill putts can easily run off the green.  The rough is thick, lush, and unpredictable.  I was 5 yards of the green on 18 in the rough and couldn't even go at the flag because the landing area was so small.  Just brutal, but fun.  It looks like you have acres of landing area on your tee shots, but the fairway is actually only half of what you see, and you better get in the short stuff, as the rough is at least a 1/2 shot penalty.  Only 6300 from the tips but like every course in the area, plays much longer.  2 par 3's played over 200 yards.  I liked the design, as well.  Enough holes that have movement left or right to keep each you paying attention.  Super friendly staff and very much of a local, public-course vibe.  My only concern is that when I return there is no way they can keep the bar set as high as when I was there last week.  Evidently, the record amount of rain they received early this year really did wonders.  I played Quail Lodge last week, as well, and same thing, super green and thick green grass.  It was amazing, as well.  Played at 3pm for only $89 on GolfNow.  Love Quail, too!  Great green complexes.  Pacific Grove early bird special is a no-brainer.  You can play the back 9 only in the first 1.5 hour of daylight for about $50.  That walk on the back nine is just good for the soul.

I've always enjoyed playing Del Monte and since I was a Duke's Club member my friends also enjoyed a round their too.

When you played Cypress, who was your caddie? My former instructor caddies at Cypress.

[Shades234]

On 5/28/2023 at 1:14 PM, lchang said:

I wonder a good alternative is.  (We're already playing Poppy Hills and Spanish Bay in the previous 2 days....)

Quail. More expensive, but usually in mint condition. Then head to the Mission Ranch Restaurant in Carmel. Pretty unique setting. 

 

Del Monte is fun if you want to stay in Monterey zone.