Arnold Palmer Invitational Course Preview
Bay Hill- Course details, past champions, field overview, course comparisons
Arnold Palmer Invitational
Bay Hill Club & Lodge unveiled its golf course in 1961, designed by renowned architect Dick Wilson, celebrated for his challenging designs, particularly in South Florida. Bay Hill demands a rare blend of power and precision off the tee, consistently rewarding those with this adept skill set.
Similar to last week’s PGA National, Bay Hill doesn’t allow room for masking deficiencies or lacking confidence with irons. The course swiftly exposes weaknesses, requiring mental fortitude to persevere through challenges and setbacks. We are looking for some grinders that are gonna golf for our money.
The Course- Bay Hill
Par - 72
Yards – 7466
Cut- top 50 and ties
Field- 70
Greens – TifEagle Bermuda grass
Fairways – Bermuda grass
Rough- rye grass 2-3 inches
Water in play – 9 holes
Bunkers- 84
Average Green size- 7500 sq ft
Designer – Dick Wilson, renovations Arnold Palmer in 2009
Average Fairway Width- 34.6 yards
Stretching over 7,400 yards with negligible elevation in central Florida, Bay Hill ranks among the lengthiest courses on the PGA Tour. The challenge is intensified by penalizing roughs, featuring 3-inch high stick ryegrass, posing a significant hazard for wayward shots. With demanding angles and severe roughs, players frequently face approach shots from distances exceeding 200 yards.
Bay Hill, renowned for its demand for elite Off The Tee play and its emphasis on rewarding total driving, is a challenging course. The rough, thicker than other Florida courses, presents difficulties in judging lies accurately. Players frequently encounter challenging long iron shots over water and bunkers, adding to the course’s complexity.
With 84 strategically placed bunkers and 8 water hazards, navigating Bay Hill requires precision. Many greens are surrounded by water on one side, limiting bailout options. Despite their size, averaging over 7,500 sq ft, players only hit greens roughly 55% of the time. Greens in regulation percentage at Bay Hill is nearly 10% lower than the Tour Average, underscoring the course’s difficulty.
The greens and collars, made of TifEagle Bermuda grass, typically run at about 12 on the stimpmeter. Recent heavy rains in central Florida may affect the greens’ speed and receptiveness during play. Winning scores at Bay Hill typically range from -8 to -14 under par, highlighting the need for players to scramble and avoid bogeys.
Compared to other Florida tracks on the PGA TOUR Bay Hill stands out as a course that demands more power and prowess Off The Tee.
Course Comparisons
1. PGA National (The Honda Classic): Both courses feature strategic bunkering, water hazards, and narrow fairways. PGA National’s Bear Trap (Holes 15-17) adds to its difficulty, similar to Bay Hill’s challenging stretches. Located in Florida, both courses share similar environmental factors and grass types.
2. Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course - Valspar Championship): Both demand strategic course management with tree-lined fairways and undulating terrain. Known for difficulty, with challenging greens and demanding approach shots. Situated in Florida, both courses share weather conditions and grass types.
Past Champions
2023- Kurt Kityama
2022- Scottie Scheffler
2021- Bryson DeChambeau
2020- Tyrell Hatton
2019- Fransesco Molonari
2018- Rory Mcilroy
2017- Marc Leishman
2016- Jason Day
Field
Thank you for reading
David Slinger (Jackie Paper)