My Quest to Check Off Golf's Best Experiences
The Golf Bucket List
#5, Par 4, 350 Yards
"The fifth hole is a 390 yard par 4 from the Palmer tees. Do not let the distance fool you into thinking it will be an easy par. The landing area for the tee shot is well bunkered left and right. Less than driver will likely avoid the bunkers. Setting up an approach shot to a green that is also well guarded by bunkers. Once on the green you will have to deal with a center green camel back that makes for a challenging two putt."
I decided to ignore our forecaddie's advice, and hit it over the bunkers. It was a perfect drive (or so I thought) that caught the hill beyond the bunkers and rolled into the right hand rough. From there, I was stymied by trees that blocked my approach to the green, even though it was only a lob wedge. My "perfect drive" quickly turned into a big number. Learn from my mistake and just lay it out there safely, short of the bunkers.
#10, Par 4, 360 Yards
"The 10th hole is a 400 yard par 4 from the Palmer tees. An accurate tee shot on this dog leg right is required to avoid the bunkers to the right and through the fairway. The second shot plays slightly uphill to a green that is guarded in front by two deep bunkers. The green slopes from back to front. Any putts from above the hole tend to be some of the quickest on the course. A two putt par from above the hole is easier than an up and down from the sand."
The opening hole of the Champion nine is adjacent to the opener of the Challenger nine (the first hole), but doglegs in the opposite direction. Bunkers pinch the fairway in the landing area, but avoid them and you can take advantage of probably the easiest hole on the side.
#1, Par 4, 416 Yards
"Before heading to the first tee at Bay Hill you should warm up sufficiently on the practice ground. Mr. Palmer starts you off with a par four that measures 461 yards from the Palmer tees that doglegs left. A good drive from the Palmer tees will leave you with nearly 200 yards into a well bunkered green that is only 22 yards deep. Make a par on this hole and you have done well."
We were given a forecaddie for our round, which is a requirement guests that we weren't informed of in advance. He told us that a carry over the trees on the left was about 270 yards, and was not worth trying because if you don't make the carry, you balls can get caught in the tree and/or send up blocked on the second shot. Bunkers are on the right side of the fairway, but aiming a shot at them will work as long as you lay up short of them. Additionally, the right side of the fairway leaves the better angle into the green, with a bunker that defends the left half.
#8, Par 4, 371 Yards
"The 8th hole is a demanding par 4 that measures 460 yards from the Palmer tees. The hole is a dog leg right that demands an accurate and reasonably long tee shot to avoid the corner of the dog leg and the bunker through the left side of the fairway. The approach shot plays over a pond to a green that has bunkers behind and to the right. The green is deeper than it appears. It will accept a well struck approach shot. Beware of the side slope when putting. A misread and or a mishit will lead to a three putt bogey or worse."
#16, Par 5, 457 Yards
"The 16th hole is a par 5 that measures 511 yards from the Palmer tees. Your tee shot must avoid the bunker and trees to the right of the fairway. There is OB on the left if you get too aggressive. From the fairway longer hitters will have the opportunity to reach the green in two. However, there is water in front of the green waiting for a mishit. In addition there are bunkers short, right and behind the green. A subpar score on this hole is a possibility with an accurate approach shot."
These days, this is just a really long par four, especially since it plays downhill. However, if you choose to hit the green in two, you need to make sure your heroic shot will travel far enough to carry the pond that lays short of the green. Laying up leaves an easy pitch into the green, which still enables you to make birdie.
Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Orlando, Florida
Checked off The Bucket List October 21, 2016
Golf Magazine:
#45, Top 100 Courses You Can Play (2016-2017)
#6, Best Public Golf Courses in Florida (2016)
Golf Digest:
#97, America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (2015-2016)
#31, Best in the State of Florida (2015-2016)
#15, Par 4, 392 Yards
"The 15th hole is a 429 yard par 4 from the Palmer tees. The tee shot on this dogleg right is well-guarded by Magnolia trees right and through the fairway. Finding the fairway with your tee shot increases the probability of a par. The green has large bunkers in front and a medium sized bunker long. Long right is a closely mown area. Accuracy into the green is a premium."
Distance control and/or the proper shot shape (left-to-right) is key on this hole to ensure that you don't carry your drive through the fairway. From the yellow tees, it's about 240 yards to drive it through the fairway on a straight line.
#14, Par 3, 161 Yards
"The 14th hole is a par 3 that measures 215 yards from the Palmer tees. A tee shot into the center of the green avoiding the bunkers left and long increases the chance for a par. If you miss short or right I suggest putting if you can putt and chipping if you cannot putt. This green is another that can be quick when putting from the back of the green."
After finishing up on 18 and tipping our forecaddie, we packed up our car and headed inside to one of the more famous Men's Grills in golf. The Men's Grill at Bay Hill is like many private clubs, in that it is inside the Men's Locker Room. The names on the lockers include nearly all of the PGA Tour, at least those who play in the Bay Hill Invitational. However, it was the gentleman who held court in the Grill who made it famous, not those names. When I arrived to get a table for my buddies, there was a table already set up with snacks on it. I figured that's where I could sit down and relax. The bartender came over to greet me, and while he didn't explicatly say it, it was clear that he didn't want me sitting at that particular table, and preferred to set up another one for me. Only later, did I realize it's because I was asking to sit at Arnold Palmer's usual table (in the background below).
Florida golf is typically criticized as being a water-bordered cart ride through pancake-flat residential communities, and that's often fair criticism. While Bay Hill does have home sites bordering many holes, the land is surprising interesting with ample ups and downs that are rarely found on Florida courses.
Bay Hill is a 27-hole golf facility, with nines called the Challenger, Champion, and Charger. The tournament routing that is used by the PGA Tour includes the Challenger and Champion nines, and it's those nines that comprise the 18-hole course that is ranked in the Top 100 by the magazines. There are five sets of tees at Bay Hills (from longest to shortest: Green, Blue, Yellow, Red, and White), and the club includes a Combo set that utilizes the Yellow and Red Tees. The Green tees extend all the way to 7,381 yards, and play to a rating and slope of 74.0 and 140 with a par of 72. Our buddies trip round would find the Yellow tees perfectly sufficient, which measured 6,437 yards, and were rated 69.9 and 124. Bay Hill is very playable, but I'd argue that its quite underrated from a USGA Course Rating perspective. To say that you're playing a PGA Tour golf course with a slope rating of 124 and a course rating under 70 from over 6,400 yards is just odd. Regardless, our names were called on the loud speaker next to the first tee, and it was time to play. The club's website includes commentary on each hole, which I'll quite in italics, with my own comments afterward, if necessary. I'll quote the yellow tees that we played in the hole reviews below:
It was clear to me why Mr. Palmer was so comfortable in this welcoming bar. Complimentary snacks are there for the taking. Pitchers of lemonade and iced tee stood waiting for anyone who wished to order The Kind's namesake beverage. Decks of cards and pads of paper to keep score were also there for the taking. Several members sat at the bar itself and went out of their way to make a few needles and remarks at my group...we couldn't have felt more welcome. Equally fun was when the PGA Tour guys came in to settle their bets and have a few cocktails, just like any other group of guys.
While the golf course is much better than I expected it to be, and super fun, it was our time in this bar that really made it a special experience for my group. Seeing Arnold Palmer's table being held for him, just a few short weeks after his death, gave me a feeling that is hard to put into words. Kudos to The King for developing Bay Hill into such a cool club, and a great spot to spend an afternoon!
As I mentioned, it's not unusual to see PGA Tour pros around Bay Hill, either playing, practicing, or relaxing in the Grill. When we were there, we saw Dicky Pride, Robert Damron, Greg Owen, and evidence of Daniel Chopra!
#12, Par 5, 536 Yards
"The 12th hole is 574 yard par five from the Palmer tees. Only the longest drivers can carry the bunker on the right side of the fairway. If you choose to layup avoid the bunkers right and left to leave yourself a short iron approach. Be sure of your yardage because a tricky two putt is in store for anyone who is too bold or timid with their approach."
Payne Stewart used to live just to the right of the tee on this hole. Like the 4th hole, this is another uphill par five.
#7, Par 3, 159 Yards
"The 7th hole is a par 3 that measures 199 yards from the Palmer tees. To find the green you will need to avoid the bunkers short, left and long. This green has multiple tiers and is sneaky fast putting from back to front. A par on this hole is a good score."
Hit it above the hole at your own risk as this one slopes HARD from back to front.
#6, Par 5, 493 Yards
"The 6th hole at Bay Hill is one of the most recognizable holes on the course. It is a par 5 that measures 555 yards from the Palmer tees. With three aggressive swings at conservative targets a birdie opportunity awaits. An overly aggressive swing at an aggressive target could lead to double digits. From the tee you should aim towards the fairway bunkers. If you are playing your second shot from the fairway aim towards the bunker on the right side of the fairway. The green is deep so double check your yardage for your third shot. A par or better is within reach."
This cape hole takes the cape to another level as it really is more shaped like a boomerang. In practice rounds, there are pros who have driven this green, as it is only 360 yards or so as the crow flies, with a carry of 320 yards or so. In the first photo below, the green is beyond the rocks on the extreme left of the picture, with the aiming line for most players at the bunkers on the right. Imagine being able to aim right at the green!
#2, Par 3, 200 Yards
"From the tee the second hole appears long and demanding. It is. #2 is 231 yards from the Palmer tees. A smart shot is to favor the right side of the green. If you want you can let the slope help you onto the green. Missing the green left leaves you with a challenging up and down. Once you are on the green you must negotiate a green that tilts right to left. A par on at the 2nd is a good score."
This hole has some Redan tendencies, as the slope to the right of the green will kick a shot onto the surface. However, due to the stickiness of Bermuda grass, the slope won't kick a ball all the way over to a left hole location.
#18, Par 4, 403 Yards
"The 72nd hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard, the 18th hole is a par 4 458 yards from the Palmer tees. There is OB along the entire left side of this demanding par 4. To the right of the driving area is thick rough. Ideally, the tee shot should be played left of center. From the left side of the fairway you have options depending on the hole location. If your tee shot finds the rough the smart play is to play towards the left front of the green. If you choose to play aggressive there are bunkers left and long. If you have ever watched the Arnold Palmer Invitational you already knew about the pond guarding the front of the putting surface. A par on this hole would be a good way to end your round."
Having seen this hole on TV countless times, I was very aware of its design. What surprised me was how blind the tee shot is. I expected to be able to see the pond from the tee, but you cannot. From the Yellow Tees, it's about 280 yards to the water. A heroic approach shot to a boomerang-shaped green with a back-to-front slope awaits after a safe drive.
#17, Par 3, 166 Yards
"The 17th hole is a par 3 that measures 221 yards from the Palmer tees. The putting surface has the beach bunker short of the green. In addition there are bunkers left and long left of the green. In front and wrapping around the right of the green there is water. A tee shot that finds the green is well played and increases your chances for a par."
One of the special things about golf is that it enables you to walk in the footsteps of the game's greats from time to time. It's not likely you'll get to try to hit a Major League curve ball at Wrigley Field, nor is it likely that you will get to try to beat an NHL goalie at Madison Square Garden. However, in golf, there are many famous "arenas" where the pros have played. At Bay Hill, you can experience a golf course that PGA Tour pros play each spring. However, more importantly, you can experience the course that was the winter stomping grounds of The King, Arnold Palmer. From the moment you walk into the clubhouse to the moment you have a post-round cocktail, there is no hiding from the Palmer mystique. Unfortunately, I played Bay Hill too late to watch Mr. Palmer hitting balls on the right side of the range, or be in the presence of one of his card games in the Men's Locker Room. However, his presence was there, even though he had passed away 26 days earlier.
Arnold Palmer's connection to Bay Hill is several decades old, and pre-dated his ownership of the property. The History of Bay Hill is best told by its own website:
As all happy endings have in common, the tract of land that would become Bay Hill began with a problem – a fluke of nature of sorts. This large tract of land located in Central Florida, a state known for its sweet produce, with natural hills and valleys, lakes and streams would not grow citrus. The land was lacking enough nutrients or the water holding capacity to grow citrus economically. This unproductive raw land was part of the vast holdings of Dr. P. Phillips, a Tennessee physician who settled in Central Florida in 1897 and moved to Orlando in 1905. He became the world’s largest individual grower of citrus and the producer of the first acceptable canned orange juice. The land was however, surrounded by the some of the finest citrus spreads in Central Florida, and one of the largest tangerine groves in the world.
In 1954, Dr. Phillips sold his holdings to Granada Groves, a subsidiary of the Minute Maid Corporation, and retained only the raw land. Phillip’s son took over the task of developing the raw land in hopes of finding a productive purpose. The wheel had now been set in motion for the beginning of Bay Hill, but it was not until 1959 that two key men became involved, one with the life-long dream of creating a championship golf course. Tom Barnes, a native of Minnesota, took an option on the land with his partner, Tom Dore, a Michigan businessman who surveyed the land and saw an immediate vision of what this land could become. It was this partnership that broke ground on the golf course in 1960 and christened the area “Bay Hill” for the bay that touched the Northwest boundary and for the hills that surrounded the lakes and wetlands.
In September, 1960, another group of businessmen from Nashville, TN exercised the option on the land from Dr. Phillips and now all of the resources were gathered to make Bay Hill a reality. There would be no overnight transformation as the 60’s was a decade of slow development and calculated growth, so it was late in 1961 when the 18-hole golf course opened. The contractor for the first 18 holes as well as the original streets was Frank Hubbard, Hubbard Construction Company; the original golf course architect was Dick Wilson.
Bay Hill was the first golf course planted with Tifway (Tifton 419) Bermuda grass. Wildlife still inhabited the land including a family of bobcats that resided around the now famous 17th green. Otters still claimed the lakes as their homes.
The existing maintenance barn was the original Pro Shop and lunch room as it would be another two years before the present Pro Shop would be built, and five more years would pass before the clubhouse and lodge were completed. Additionally, in that same year, a third nine holes, now known as The Charger, was built and opened for play. The Bay Hill community was also beginning to emerge and a glimpse of today’s Bay Hill Boulevard, lined in homes, became evident.
There were other significant events taking place in Orlando during this time. In 1965, Walt Disney announced the purchase of over 27,000 acres of land nearby, where the Walt Disney World Resort would soon emerge. In this same year, Arnold Palmer played in (and won) a charity exhibition tournament at Bay Hill, sponsored by the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, and his love for this beautiful property and challenging golf venue began. “Palmer Brings Bay Hill to Knees” was the headline of the sports section of the Orlando Sentinel on March 1, 1965. Palmer’s reaction to the new fledgling club was profound. So much so that he told his wife, Winnie that he wanted to own it.
In 1970, Arnold Palmer, already the most celebrated statesman of the game of golf, known around the world for his accomplishments, took a five-year lease with an option to buy, and Bay Hill had a new beginning. Since taking ownership in 1975, Palmer has polished the original visions of Bay Hill into the opulent diamond it is today with the stature of a world-class facility.
In 1979, Arnold Palmer successfully negotiated Bay Hill as the venue to host a major event on the PGA TOUR. The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard (formerly the Bay Hill Invitational) bears a special aura in professional golf. The tournament, one of the premiere-event jewels on the TOUR, annually attracts one of the strongest fields of the season to one of the circuit’s finest courses, with the entire production overseen and directed by the Legend himself.
In Summer, 2009 Palmer decided to renovate the famous course with the Arnold Palmer Design Company and was hands-on throughout the entire process. The specific goals of the renovation were focused in three distinct areas: Agronomic/Maintenance (redesign of all 18 greens), Playability and Aesthetics which included the reworking of all the bunkering and major changes in four holes that altered the yardage from 7,103 to 7,196 and from par 71 to par 72.
Today, beautiful homes surround the golf courses and line the boulevards. Gardens, trees and lawns are a flowering testimonial to the lushness of Central Florida and the care and concern of the Bay Hill community. The Bay Hill Club would not be what it is today without the pioneering efforts of the earliest residents and first Club members. The magic of this special place comes in the perfect combination of the comfortable lodge atmosphere and outstanding golf, the influences of the Palmer family, and a level of hospitality and warmth that leave you feeling like the most esteemed member of the finest private club, but also part of a family that only Bay Hill can offer.
While Bay Hill is accessible to the public, it really has more of the feel of a private club. There is a membership, which includes several PGA Tour pros who play the course frequently. To gain access to the course you need to stay to stay at the Lodge or be a guest of a member. However, what's less known is that you can also get access to Bay Hill by booking through golf package operators who have some privileges in reserving tee times for their clients, while letting them stay elsewhere. That is how my group "got on" Bay Hill. We stayed at a perfect 5-bedroom private home with a pool and hot tub...perfect for eight people. The agents set us up with rounds at Grand Cypress, ChampionsGate, Falcon's Fire, and the highlight of the trip--Bay Hill!
If you're playing Bay Hill the way we did, a word of advice--arrive well in advance of your tee time. When we arrived, there was a process we needed to follow for check-in, which included checking in with the Lodge's front desk (even though we weren't staying there). They took our credit card information, and gave us each our own Bay Hill card for charging privileges. There were no cash payments allowed anywhere on the property, including the beverage cart. That was definitely part of why the club had a private feel. The only problem I had with that was that pricing is not necessarily publicized in all cases, so you don't really know what you spent until you see the charge on your credit card invoice, which clearly doesn't itemize. The beverage cart was EXTREMELY expensive, while the cost of drinks in the Men's Grill a mystery until I checked my American Express bill. Like most private clubs, a mandatory service charge/gratuity is added to everything too, so don't feel the need to tip for anything.
After completing the check-in process, we warmed up a little. Bay Hill has a large range, worthy of hosting a Tour event, and also Tour players on a daily basis. The King's spot was on the far right side of the range, and it had been blocked off, out of respect. I can only imagine being there and hitting balls a few bays down from Arnold Palmer.
#3, Par 4, 371 Yards
"Hole #3 is an attractive par 4 that measures 434 yards from the Palmer tees. Finding the fairway off the tee is the first step to securing a par. There is a lake to the left of the fairway and to the right is thick rough. The green is guarded by water left and bunkers left, right and long. Two accurate shots could offer you a reasonable chance for birdie."
Keeping your ball on grass is the key to this hole. Driver is not necessary, as safety is job number one. Avoid the water and bunkers and this hole isn't too bad. Miss one of your shots though, and trouble is everywhere as the water lines the entire left side of the hole and bunkers await elsewhere.
#4, Par 5, 461 Yards
"The fourth hole is a par 5 that measures 561 yards from the Palmer tees. It plays uphill with a creek and OB running along the right side of the hole. It is reachable in two for the longest hitters. Avoid the bunker on the left side of the fairway if you choose to lay up. Regardless of whether you go for the green in two or not the left side of the green is shallow in depth. A miss to the right of the green drops off sharply leaving a difficult up and down. Accuracy is a must into this elevated target if you expect a par or better."
The fourth is the first hole at Bay Hill that takes a noticeable departure from typical pancake-flat Florida golf. The uphill nature of the hole makes it play a bit longer than the distance on the card.
#9, Par 4, 410 Yards
The 9th hole is a par 4 that measures 474 yards from the Palmer tees. Avoid the temptation to attempt to carry the bunker on the left. Reaching the green from that bunker makes a par on this difficult hole unlikely. Your approach shot will need to be well struck and online to avoid the bunkers short left, right, and long left. A par four here will enhance the taste of that Palmer tea from the halfway house. Just turn left after completing this hole. You will find the halfway house, toilets and golf shop. Continue further beyond the golf shop to find the 10th tee.
#11, Par 4, 396 Yards
"The 11th hole is a 438 yard par four from the Palmer tees. It bends left around a lake. Your tee shot needs to avoid the water left and the bunkers right. The green is guarded by water left and bunkers short and right. Double check the wind before hitting towards the green. Coming up short will eliminate any chance of making a par. Once you are on the putting surface a two putt par is not guaranteed."
It's not identical, but my issue with this hole is that it's a little too similar to the 3rd hole.
#13, Par 4, 335 Yards
"The 13th hole is a 370 yard par four from the Palmer tees. The scorecard is not a misprint. It is our number 1 handicap hole. Be sure to find the fairway with your tee shot. Hitting the well-guarded green in regulation is much easier from the fairway. Playing your second shot from the bunker right or the bunkers left to this green is not ideal. The green is well guarded with water short and right of the green. To the left there are bunkers. Once you are on the green remember the ball will break towards the water. Just don’t forget there is water left of the green towards #11. A par here is a good score."
This is a good place to remind the reader that the number one handicap doesn't mean it's the hardest hole on the course! Water short of the green likely catches many a miss-hit approach shot. However, with a good drive, it's only a wedge into the green, so a well executed shot shouldn't have much trouble landing safely on the other side. Of course, coming in from one of the three fairway bunkers that pinch the fairway in the landing area would make that a more difficult task.