Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge — Local services in Dr. Phillips

Playing Bay Hill has been on my golf bucket list for years, and I finally had the chance to experience Arnold Palmer’s legendary course in Orlando. It completely lived up to the hype and then some. From the moment you arrive at the property, you can feel the history and prestige. The staff is welcoming, professional, and genuinely makes you feel like you are part of the Bay Hill family, not just a visitor passing through.

The golf course itself is nothing short of spectacular. Every hole feels thoughtfully designed, challenging yet fair, and the conditions are pristine from tee to green. The fairways are beautifully maintained, the bunkers are strategically placed, and the greens roll fast and true. It is a true test of golf that rewards smart play and punishes careless mistakes. Water comes into play on several holes, and the layout forces you to think about every shot, which makes it incredibly rewarding. Standing on some of the tee boxes knowing the PGA Tour’s best face the same challenges during the Arnold Palmer Invitational gave me chills.

Some of the signature holes really stand out. The par 5 6th hole with its sweeping curve around the water is one of the most exciting risk reward holes I have ever played. The 17th, a par 3 over water, is both intimidating and beautiful. And finishing on the 18th with the clubhouse in the background feels iconic, like stepping right into golf history.

Off the course, the lodge and amenities are top notch. The clubhouse has an old school charm that reflects Arnold Palmer’s personality, with plenty of memorabilia and photographs celebrating his legacy. The locker room and practice facilities are first class, and the restaurant serves excellent food with great views of the course. Even if you are not playing, it is a wonderful place to relax, have a drink, and soak up the atmosphere.

What struck me most was the overall experience. Bay Hill is not just about playing a round of golf, it is about feeling connected to the game and to Arnie’s legacy. The combination of history, challenge, and hospitality make it a truly special place.

In short, Bay Hill is a must play for any golfer visiting Orlando. It is a course that challenges you, inspires you, and leaves you with lasting memories. If you love golf, it does not get much better than walking the fairways where Arnold Palmer left his mark...

Twelve of us (couples) stayed for two nights in The Cottages. The guys played a round of golf while the ladies enjoyed shopping in Winter Garden. The major complaint we had was with our waitress Jessica at the clubhouse dinner. Our reservation was at 7:30 pm. The food was good. By 9:30 pm, we were begging to get the heck out of the clubhouse. With no guests left in the restaurant except us, Jessica our waitress was no where to be found. She was simply the worst waitress ever. Our plates weren’t cleared for long periods of time. It was uncomfortable and disgusting. Jessica was not attentive at all. 4 of the members of our party waited on water for over an hour. She brought the wrong dessert and argued with me about it. My husband ordered tiramisu. I’ve had tiramisu so many times and I’ve made it myself from scratch. This was not tiramisu. She kept arguing with me, being combative; but even if I was wrong, I AM THE CUSTOMER. I’m not sure how Bay Hill handles customer service, but she did not aim to please the customer. Myself and several other members of our party asked for our checks. 30 minutes went by and she had still not delivered. I had to get up and find someone to locate Jessica. She WASTED our time and I was really upset about it. Our last night together was not all that we had planned due to Jessica. We had an expensive meal and the food should match the service. Jessica finally & nonchalantly brought back the checks at 10:30 pm! These checks took no time at all (because they are billed directly to your room). She was without apology. We were very disappointed and want Bay Hill to know that Jessica should not represent your brand. She did not deserve a tip at all and I wish the tip was not automatically charged. See...

The lodge is a good place to stay for the golf course guests. The driving range and facilities are just a short walk away. We had breakfast in the restaurant both days of our stay, and were checked for collar shirts each time (which we wore to the staff’s sigh of relief). On the putting green somebody from the staff disapproved of the adidas joggers my 14 year old was wearing and asked to change into khaki shorts. Not sure if my pants were too colorful either so I changed into different shorts as well. We also were reminded to tug our shirts in which we had. Juniors pay the same as adults (same green fee) and are not allowed into the member locker. We wanted to watch the World Cup soccer final on one of their six TV screens but unfortunately one has to be older than 18 (and we’re asked to leave). We ended up watching the soccer game in our hotel room. When our tee time arrived we had the same caddie for two days who caddied for the foursome. He made sure we kept pace with the group ahead and gave us the distances (the carts do not have GPS). I was hoping for the caddy to help with the club selection and provide guidance on what type of shots to hit. The course itself is fun to play, with challenging water and bunker hazards. It is not a scenic course with the holes going through neighborhoods with close by homes. It looks different to what you see on TV, and hole 18 has a very tiny putting green. Overall there are better suited places for junior golfers than Bay Hill where the membership seems to prefer being amongst themselves. Maybe a resort course is better suited for a father/son...