With its close proximity to downtown Orlando, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge offers the best of both worlds. Guests can enjoy a quiet resort experience on the 270-acre pastoral setting or find themselves in the heart of activity just two miles away at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. With its traditional décor and upscale rustic ambiance, it provides a comfortable way to enjoy a pleasant getaway for every member of the family.

Noted for being quieter and more subdued than some of the other offerings in the area, it has 70 rooms in the Lodge as well as suites and guest cottages. The guest houses, with two bedrooms, two baths, a living room and full kitchen, offer lakefront of golf course view and are close enough to the Bay Hill Club & Lodge to enjoy all the amenities and services of the Lodge while enjoying private, secluded accommodations. Regardless of which type of room you choose, it is comfortably furnished with Lexington furniture and decorated with framed photos from Arnold Palmer’s personal collection.

GETTING YOUR GAME ON

The Bay Hill Club & Lodge enjoys a rich history that is intertwined with Palmer’s own personal history. Nestled among the Butler Chain of Lakes, it was an unknown course in 1965 when Palmer played an exhibition match with Jack Nicklaus and Don Cherry. He won the match and Bay Hill won his heart; within five years he had made it his winter home and it also became the home of the golf tournament that today is known as the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard— one of the signature events on the PGA Tour and a tremendous draw for the club each March.

The televised event gives a glimpse of the Charger/Challenger course that has become so beloved by golfers. What adds to the enjoyment of playing this course is that each hole has its own rich history and for golf fans, that means you are literally walking in the footsteps of golf legends as you move through this course.

The layout is spectacular and breathtaking; it was designed by Dick Wilson in 1961, then redesigned by Palmer in 2009. The renovation increased the yardage from 7,103 to 7,196 and took it from a par 71 to a par 72. Today, it offers a challenge for all levels of players, and the championship holes are flanked by native trees and, in some cases, lakes—creating a significant level of adventure as well as risk. Not surprisingly, it has landed on many “must play” lists, including Best Courses You Can Play (Golfweek), Top 100 Golf Courses (Golf Magazine) and Best Golf Retreat & Full Service Spa (CV Magazine).

The course provides a remarkable experience and demands both accuracy and strategy, and if you’re looking for a shorter game, the nine-hole Charger course provides a picturesque challenge with 3,409 yards of golf with a par of 36.

For those who want to gain an inside edge, the on-site Arnold Palmer Golf Academy is the perfect place to hone your game and learn the mechanics of playing your best game using Palmer’s own philosophy. The world-class two-acre Short Game Practice Facility and Driving Range with a sand bunker is the perfect place to polish those skills before taking them out on the course.

More Ways to Play

The Clubhouse provides plenty of rewards for players at the end of the game, with an impressive pro shop that includes clothing, golf clubs and an abundant selection of accessories. It’s a great place to unwind after a day on the links and enjoy the sunset with cocktails or dinner.

If golf isn’t your only game, there are other ways to play at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill. For tennis enthusiasts, there are four Har-Tru and two Plexi-Cushion courts to make you feel at home. You can also get professional instruction and shop for new tennis equipment, apparel and accessories.

The Bay Hill Marina is the perfect place to be if you want to go on a guided fishing excursion or want to create your own personal fishing adventure. The Butler Chain of Lakes is home to some of the best bass fishing in Florida, and a half-day guided excursion will often yield a dozen or so fish including bass, speckled perch, bluegill and catfish. But you’ll also get to enjoy the wildlife that calls the lake home, including golden eagles, osprey, blue herons, snowy egrets, otters, turtles and more.

If you prefer your water in a pool, you’ll love the heated junior-Olympic swimming pool, and you can also take advantage of the large fitness center on site. And, after all that physical activity, you might as well book a spa treatment (or two) to help you relax.

With multiple on-site dining options, you might be hard-pressed to find a reason to leave the grounds once you arrive. The combination of a comfortable lodge atmosphere with impeccable service in a gorgeous setting makes this an unforgettable escape—and one that needs to move up a few notches on every golfer’s bucket list.
(bayhill.com)