How you could play Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill golf course

Arnold Palmer remains one of the most iconic golfers in the history of the game. His swashbuckling, aggressive, carefree style of play aligned with tangible charisma to make him the perfect star for the emerging television age of the late 1950s.

It didn't hurt that he was also extremely good, too, winning 62 times on the PGA Tour, including seven major championships. Augusta National was his playground until Jack Nicklaus came along, with Palmer additionally being credited for helping to revitalise the Open Championship by his appearances (including two victories) in the early 1960s.

There's a reason why the man from Latrobe, Pennsylvania was known as The King, and he ruled everywhere, but in later decades his castle was at his adopted home of Bay Hill in Florida.

Palmer visited the youthful Bay Hill in 1965 - defeating Nicklaus in a rousing performance during an exhibition match. It was the start of a love affair. Having signed a five-year lease for the club in 1970, Palmer ultimately took ownership of the Orlando venue in 1975. It was four years later when the PGA Tour brought a tournament here, which became known as the Bay Hill Classic. 

The King embraced hosting duties before the event finally took on his name in 2007. Tiger Woods has won here eight times, regularly dominating proceedings, while the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson have also won at Palmer's beloved Club & Lodge.

This place remains a monument to a legendary figure and stages one of the PGA Tour's Signature Events. 

You could also play it, courtesy of our travel partners Golfbreaks.

Can you play golf at Bay Hill?

The answer is absolutely yes! Bay Hill is open to both members and guests who are staying in the on-site accommodation, which is likely most relevant to you.

You will find this jewel of a property approximately 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport, meaning that it enjoys a highly accessible location and there is only an equally short journey into the heart of the vibrant city. 

The Championship Course that you instantly recognise today brings together the Champion and Challenger loops of the layout. It was originally designed by Dick Wilson in the early 1960s, but Palmer himself redesigned and refined the course throughout the decades, crafting one of the finest tests on the regular PGA Tour.

Which keen golfers wouldn't relish the opportunity to take on a challenge like that and walk in the footsteps of so many great names who have triumphed and contended there?

What is the accommodation like at Bay Hill?

There is an intimate feel to the Lodge at Bay Hill as it consists of just 70 rooms and seven guest cottages. If you stay there, then you can take advantage of a patio or balcony that offers magnificent views of either the gardens or golf course. The attached amenities include air conditioning, a TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee and tea making facilities, and free on-site parking.

Away from playing the superb course, active guests can also visit the tennis courts, the spa and gym, the heated junior Olympic-size swimming pool, and the marina.

If you're looking for delectable cuisine, then Bay Hill has you covered, thanks to the main restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You could also enjoy the Bay Window - which is a more casual dining choice, while the Members Lounge is a place for an evening libation, with light snacks and refreshments also being available by the pool.

And you shouldn't forget that the bustling metropolis of Orlando is right on your doorstep.

If you want to sample all that Bay Hill has to offer, here are the best packages.

Are there other golf courses you can play?

Golfers who want to play a wide range of courses will be thrilled to discover that Bay Hill is only the highlight of a vast menu that includes the likes of Crooked Cat, Panther Lake, Shingle Creek, and Celebration, which provide you with a deep overview of what golf in Florida has to offer. 

However, should you desire the ultimate PGA Tour experience, then how about the combined TPC Sawgrass & Bay Hill - Florida Golf Tour - that splits your time between Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge and Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa. It surely doesn't get much better than that?

The legacy of Arnold Palmer is timeless and there's nowhere you will feel closer to that than Bay Hill.

Playing there is an opportunity that you will always remember fondly!