Walking the fairways at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, is a dream for many golfers. This article breaks down exactly how you can make that dream a reality. We’ll cover the main path to securing a tee time and give you some essential coaching advice to help you tackle this iconic PGA TOUR venue with confidence.
Unlike your local municipal course, you can't just call the pro shop or visit a website to book a tee time at Bay Hill. The Bay Hill Club & Lodge is a private club, exclusively for its members and their guests. The walls echo with the legacy of Arnold Palmer, and the experience is carefully preserved to maintain that special atmosphere. So, the short answer is no, you can't make a standard public booking.
But that's not the end of the story. There is a fantastic and accessible way for non-members to get a guaranteed tee time on this legendary course, and it’s the reason so many golfers make the pilgrimage to Orlando every year.
The primary way for a non-member to play golf at Bay Hill is by staying as a guest at the on-site Bay Hill Club & Lodge. The lodge has 70 rooms, and all overnight guests are entitled to the same privileges as a full golf member for the duration of their stay, including complete access to the golf course, practice facilities, dining areas, and spa. This isn't just about getting a place to sleep, it's about becoming a temporary member of this prestigious club.
Playing at Bay Hill is more than just a round of golf, it's an immersive experience. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the history and the presence of "The King," Arnold Palmer. The atmosphere is that of a proper player’s club, not a tourist-centric resort.
The main attraction is the 18-hole course that hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which is a combination of the Champion and Challenger nines. True to Arnie’s design philosophy, it’s a course that demands bold and well-executed shots. It’s straight-forward, with few tricks or blind shots. What you see is what you get, but what you get is a serious test of golf.
Take time to enjoy the entire facility. The men’s locker room is a highlight, filled with priceless memorabilia and photos from Mr. Palmer's life and career. The range and short game areas are pristine, so make sure to get there early to warm up properly. After your round, grab an Arnold Palmer (the drink!) at the Member’s Lounge and soak in the victorious feeling.
Walking onto a PGA TOUR-level course can be intimidating. As a coach, my biggest piece of advice is to play within yourself and focus on management over raw power. This is a course that rewards smart play far more than it rewards a heroic miss.
Your goal is not to shoot your career low, it's to enjoy the experience and avoid big numbers. Don't be fooled by wide-looking fairways. Many have strategically placed bunkers or water that come into play at average driving distances.
The collection of par-3s at Bay Hill is one of the toughest in professional golf. You'll likely face long-iron shots over water and sand to heavily protected greens. The key here is club selection. Be realistic about your carry distances and often take one extra club to ensure you carry the trouble. A shot that flies the green and ends up in a back bunker is much easier to handle than one that comes up short in a penalty area.
Holes 16, 17, and 18 are where tournaments are won and lost - and where your round can come undone. Stay patient and play them wisely.
While the stay-and-play package is the most common route, there are two other ways you might get a chance to play Bay Hill, though they are far less likely for the average golfer.
Playing at Bay Hill is an attainable goal for any passionate golfer willing to plan a trip to the lodge. It’s an investment in a bucket-list experience, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of legends and test your game on one of the TOUR's most respected layouts.
Preparing for a special round like this involves more than just practice, it requires a smart game plan. We designed our app, Caddie AI, to give you that expert-level strategy on demand. You can get shot-by-shot advice for tough holes, analyze different ways to play a specific shot, or even get a recommendation when you’re stuck between clubs - all of which builds the confidence you need to take on a challenge like Bay Hill.
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