The appeal of this destination is getting two fundamentally different courses in one place. Bayonet is the course that demands absolute respect and precision. It’s notoriously tight, winding through deep ravines and dense Monterey Pine and Cypress trees, earning its original moniker from the sharp dogleg holes that feel like a thrusting bayonet. You’ll quickly find that power without accuracy means trouble here. The back nine is particularly brutal, featuring a series of testing par fours that climb into the hills.

That said, Black Horse provides a wonderful counterpoint. It’s wider, more elevated, and offers a more sweeping, links-like feel, especially on the front nine where the views of Monterey Bay are simply spectacular. The par-five 15th on Black Horse is a dramatic signature hole, playing downhill with the Pacific Ocean shimmering in the distance. The strategy on both courses revolves around managing significant elevation changes and avoiding the deep bunkering. It’s a complete package that requires different skills on different days.