GOLF

Bay Hill Course Guide

Cameron Kelly Published: Mar 03 2026 17:35

Bay Hill Club & Lodge is famously known for hosting the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Bay Hill is located in Orlando, Florida. Home to the "King of Golf," Arnold Palmer, for many years before he passed away in 2016.

Bay Hill Features 27 Holes

Champion Course

The Champion front nine is known for its challenging layout, which includes tight, long holes with thick rough and water hazards that demand accuracy.

Challenger Course

The Challenger back nine is associated with a difficult finish, featuring several challenging par 3s and a particularly tough 18th hole.

Charger Course

The Charger Course is the last set of nine holes, which are considered more fun, relaxed, and family-friendly.

What is the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is a prestigious PGA Tour Signature Event.

It features an elite and limited field, all competing for a $20 million purse. The winner takes home a $4 million prize and receives a three-year PGA Tour membership exemption.

Bay Hill is a tough, water-heavy course that Arnold Palmer purchased in 1974.

This tournament celebrates not only Arnold Palmer's legacy, but the passionate players and fans who continue to grow and support the game.

Champion and Challenger Course Breakdown

Par 72, 7,466 yards

Hole 1

Par 4
461 yards

A demanding opener that requires accuracy off the tee to avoid fairway bunkers. The approach typically plays into a firm, well-guarded green, immediately testing ball striking.

Hole 2

Par 3
231 yards

A mid-length par 3 that demands precise distance control. The green is subtly shaped, rewarding confident iron play early in the round.

Hole 3

Par 4
434 yards

This dogleg invites aggression but punishes off-target drives. A smart tee shot sets up a scoring opportunity before the course tightens it grip.

Hole 4

Par 5
590 yards

One of the early birdie chances. Long hitters can reach in two, but water and bunkers around the green make it a classic risk-reward hole.

Hole 5

Par 4
390 yards

Accuracy is key here, as the fairway narrows in the landing area. This approach shot must carry and fall firm onto the green.

Hole 6

Par 5
555 yards

The signature C-shaped hole tempts players to be aggressive off the tee. With water lurking and a well-guarded green, contenders weigh risk versus reward.

Hole 7

Par 3
199 yards

The challenging par 3 is known for its elevated green, which typically plays firm, making it difficult to hold with long irons or hybrids.

The green is surrounded by hazards on all sides, including four deep bunkers. This hole will truly test your game.

Hole 8

Par 4
460 yards

A long par 4 that is one of the toughest downhill tee shots because of the crosswinds and a pond guarding the green.

Its punishing rough and water hazard on the approach demands precision to be successful on this hole.

Hole 9

Par 4
480 yards

This long par 4 features a narrow fairway due to its precise bunker layout.

During the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational, it was noted as a hole where significant misses can lead to high scores, creating a challenging finish to the front nine.

Hole 10

Par 4
400 yards

This par 4 dogleg begins the back nine with a high-risk, high-reward challenge.

The hole turns sharply to the right, and a nearby fairway bunker demands accuracy. More aggressive players may attempt to cut the corner by going over the trees and houses.

Hole 11

Par 4
438 yards

This challenging par 4 is considered one of the hardest holes on the PGA Tour.

Featuring a pond to the left and bunkers to the right, it demands precision off the tee. The long green leaves a small margin for error.

Hole 12

Par 5
574 yards

The 12th green is the smallest on the entire course. It is angled nearly 45 degrees from the tee box, creating a small window for a successful approach.

Hole 13

Par 4
382 yards

A short par 4 that prioritizes placement over distance. Selecting the right club for your game is crucial on this hole.

The main concern is the water hazard, which makes course strategy and management essential.

Hole 14

Par 3
215 yards

Hole 14 has a rocky barrier that separates the green from the pond. Players who are skilled with their long irons have an advantage.

Hole 15

Par 4
467 yards

The green is protected by a few sand-traps. The green is long, narrow, and slopes heavily from right to left. The fairway narrows to just 21 yards wide, making it essential to place your shots accurately.

Hole 16

Par 5
467 yards

Hole 16 embodies Arnold Palmer's aggressive playing philosophy.

The green is not visible from the tee box due to its dogleg design. Players must navigate from a relatively narrow fairway and hit a drive of at least 275 yards is often needed to get a good look at shot two.

Hole 17

Par 3
221 yards

Hole 17 recently went through a redesign. The hole previously featured a large sandy area that acted as a safety net for shots that missed right of the green.

Now it was replaced by a steep slope of thick rough, bringing the water hazard closer to the green making it a more punishing hole.

Hole 18

Par 4
460 yards

The 18th hole at Bay Hill is famous, challenging, and considered by many to be one of the best finishing holes in golf. It was built to test your game.

Known for its "banana-shape" the putting surface is long and fast. It requires a precise approach as the green is protected by a lake on the entire right side and bunkers on the left.