Bay Hill Club & Lodge

9000 Bay Hill Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819-4899
407-876-2429
Driving Directions

Resort, 27 holes, $0.00 - $0.00

Arnold Palmer and Bay Hill have been synonymous since the 1960s. Back when Arnie first stumbled upon the place, there was nothing around except citrus groves. He immediately liked the laid-back, rural ambiance. In 1965, Palmer showed up at the four-year-old Bay Hill property for an exhibition with Jack Nicklaus, Dave Ragan and Don Cherry. At the par-5 12th that day, Palmer lashed a 3-wood approach that darted between the bunkers and stopped 12 feet from the cup. He knocked down the eagle putt, shot a 66 and beat his nearest rival by seven strokes. He was smitten with Bay Hill.

In 1970, Palmer and his partners took out an option to buy Bay Hill and accomplished their mission six years later. He established an office at the club, played golf and cards with the gang, sipped beer in the grillroom. Bay Hill was Arnie's hangout. Still is. All that was left to do was to bring a big-time golf competition to the club. That came in 1979, with the debut of the PGA Tour's Bay Hill Citrus Classic. Today, the event is stronger than ever.

Architecture purists are less than enamored with Bay Hill's championship 18. Architect Dick Wilson's style, as with his contemporary, Robert Trent Jones Sr. has fallen from favor these days. True, Bay Hill has more elevation change than many Florida courses, but you certainly wouldn't call it hilly. No, the faultfinders note the lack of variety and overemphasis on the aerial game. And, to be fair, Palmer is continually tinkering with the design, so at times, some of the changes are reflective of Arnie's thinking at that moment, rather than striving for a pure restoration or redesign.

Nevertheless, there's a host of folks, from tour pros to club members to resort guests who gush about Bay Hill. It's straightforward, yes, but there's no hidden shots, nothing goofy. Wilson did build handsome bunkers and Palmer has added mounds, new green configurations and enhanced esthetics in the lakes, so there's a bit of eye candy about. Mostly, though, Bay Hill's layout revolves around serious drama. The closing trio of holes is practically guaranteed to produce exciting, occasionally disastrous finishes.

For more on the resort, see Joe Passov's take from GOLF Magazine, or visit bayhill.com.

Design - Championship at Bay Hill Club & Lodge

• Year Built: 1961
• Designer: Dick Wilson
• Greens Grass Type: Bermuda Grass
• Fairways Grass Type: Bermuda Grass
• Water Hazards: Yes
• Sand Bunkers: 41-50
• Yardage Markers: 200, 150, 100 Yrd Markers and Sprinkler Heads Marked

More Information - Championship at Bay Hill Club & Lodge

• Green Fee: $0.00 - $0.00
• Driving Range: N/A
• Training Facilities: Putting Green, Teaching Pro, Chipping Area
• Golf Pro: Brian Dorn
• Rental Clubs: Yes
• Carts: N/A
• Pullcarts: No
• Caddies: No
• Walking: Allowed
• Food: Yes
• Bar: Yes
• Homes on Course: Yes