Not much to add to the previous reviews except course is still nice and fun to play as of December 2024. Only semi-priv... » More

Not much to add to the previous reviews except course is still nice and fun to play as of December 2024. Only semi-private, used to be totally private. Around $90 for green fees depending on when you play.

I would play it again if in the area.
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Staying here at the "Lodge" tonight after playing here this afternoon. Tomorrow we will play Black Bear in Eustis and he... » More

Staying here at the "Lodge" tonight after playing here this afternoon. Tomorrow we will play Black Bear in Eustis and head up to The Villages to see some relatives who have retired there. Then back to the "compound" to celebrate New Years before returning home. Bay Hill is a very nice course that is well known and it is a wonderful venue that is very welcoming to its guests. I suppose a lot of that comes from the long time ownership by Arnold Palmer. I started staying and playing here back in the late 80's and early 90's and have always loved to come back. Not as much fun these days w/o Mr Palmer being here who made it a habit to introduce himself to his guests. But the course is still a terrific place to play and it's great to play a course that one sees on TV each year. It makes me feel a little comfortable as the holes are very familiar after watching the tournament over these many years. We found the course in great shape all round and had great fun putting on the greens trying not to 3 putt. Fairways were just fine. Bunkers were some of the best I have encountered when playing golf. Lots of water to navigate as well. I would recommend staying at the Lodge if you are in the area, which is close to all Orlando has to offer. Great choice of rooms/suites and cottages (which we are staying in) and personally much better than any hotel. + you can take advantage of playing a great course as well. Great restaurant on site and many to chose from close by as well.
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Play date: 121824 time: 11:00 (late post)
Senior rate: $70
First responder rate: $65
Weather: high 60s almos... » More

Play date: 121824 time: 11:00 (late post)
Senior rate: $70
First responder rate: $65
Weather: high 60s almost clear skies with light breeze increased to 15 mph towards the end of back.

The course was in good shape from tee to green. It was a real pleasure to play it.
Bunkers were maintained with sand but you may still see some un-raked or with footsteps or partially raked? (Almost unbelievable but we have more who does this than ever).
Fairways are nicely cut short with some run from drives. Not much divots on approaches- some filled w sand some they've missed.
Teeing grounds are fair.
The greens we nice and fast. You may have to fix some pitch marks or ball divot.

Pace of play was okay. We followed a twosome who followed the pack within four hours.
No beverage cart ( fyi) drinks/food available at the turn.

Always fun here and we’d like ro be back again soon.
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First out on a somewhat foggy morning, which was great because it meant no frost delay. Very busy so getting out early r... » More

First out on a somewhat foggy morning, which was great because it meant no frost delay. Very busy so getting out early really important for pace of play. Greens rolled well and had decent pace. Fairways have good coverage for the most part and the new sand they are putting in the greenside bunkers is much appreciated. Still a mystery why holes #7 and #11 are cart path only? Otherwise, course is in decent shape and being able to play golf on December 28th for someone who grew up in Chicago is wonderful.
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Played here today. Kind of non mentioned often in the TPC family but it's a great course not far from the Tampa Airport ... » More

Played here today. Kind of non mentioned often in the TPC family but it's a great course not far from the Tampa Airport or surrounding area. Once on the Sr Tour schedule but not anymore. Maybe to tough for them as it is a stern test of golf. Beautifully maintained at every level and great greens that will test your putting all 18 holes. Great clubhouse staff and really good restaurant. Don't pass it up if your in the Tampa area as you won't be disappointed.
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The pictures are an indication of the course at it's best. The hole numbers do not correspond to the current routing. ... » More

The pictures are an indication of the course at it's best. The hole numbers do not correspond to the current routing. Not a big deal but details.
Played 12/26 in winter conditions carts allowed at 90 degrees but wet and windy alot of leaves. Crews were out blowing and improving best they could a day before big rains and storms forecast for awhile.
We were happy like the other groups out to be playing.
7:18 tee time, 2nd out following a 4-some of walkers we settled in and no one behind us and POP under 4 hours took our time and listened to the music.
Good greens maintained rolling slower muni-speeds consistent. Rest of the course through the green playable considering winter conditions. Couple bunkers puddled in bottom. Leave losses possible in a few areas of some holes.
$43 to walk extra $20 for seat on the power cart. Good value and going into 2025 pro shop didn't know if rates would be steady. Said the players club is a good deal and the lowest fees.
They have a simulator in the restaurant. Have never seen anyone using it. Even on this marginal weather day. I was thinking it could be a back-up plan if the weather didn't co-operate like it did.
Overall classic venue, good value service and fun.
Makes it a recommend.
2024 goodbye and bring it on in 2025
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In FL at the family "compound" for Christmas and New Years. I love coming here and love playing golf on this course. It ... » More

In FL at the family "compound" for Christmas and New Years. I love coming here and love playing golf on this course. It is not your typical FL golf course. Its a beautiful layout with lots of bunkers, water and of course trees. Set in the retirement village of Beverly Hills its maintained so well. I always loved coming here and playing with my Dad and my uncles. Now I am one of the Dads and uncles who have taken their place. Its fantastic to be able to pass on the game of golf to the younger family members and especially at such a wonderful venue. If any of you are ever in the area take time to play here. North of Tampa by an hour and well worth the trip. Happy New Year to all GK members.
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Early am round in a little over four hours with newbie Brit who joined us. The staff is friendly and relaxed. The prac... » More

Early am round in a little over four hours with newbie Brit who joined us. The staff is friendly and relaxed. The practice facilities are adequate for the course which is now owned by the Pala Casino. One would think they would be putting a little money into it with the rates they are now charging? The carts are good with gps (which is not very accurate) and comfortable. The tee boxes had good coverage but several are not level. The rough is medium to thick THICK in sections throughout the round. It can very difficult to locate your balls in it but you will find others that were left there early. The fairways were all in good condition with a mix of grasses but generally nice lies. Hitting from the fairways was nice enough. The traps were definitely the highlight of the round. Most all traps had a good amount of damp fluffy sand which was great but if you weren't used to hitting from it could be difficult. The greens were NOT in the best of shape. Many of them resembled a quilt with patches of different colored grass. The speed was extremely quick but without a fair line due to the patches and slope on many of the greens was discouraging. Shots into the greens did hold well but the bumpiness and speed nearly made some an automatic two putt for our group. Even the really good putters were frustrated. The freeway noise and narrower fairways make for a challenge during the round. The rack rates are out of line for the area with other offerings giving you a better experience. Not able to recommend but it was nice to get out to play here again.
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Played 12/23, walked on as single at 7:10, teed off at 7:30. 4 hr round as a 3 some. I was determined to hit this cour... » More

Played 12/23, walked on as single at 7:10, teed off at 7:30. 4 hr round as a 3 some. I was determined to hit this course on this trip, as it's the best visitor deal around, and no one seems to know about it. course in much better shape than my last visit. Fairways had good coverage. greens in great shape: a fast 10 down grain, slow 9 into the grain. Very fun course. carts with gps, though they don't seem to take care of their carts. interesting holes with mostly wide fairways. Greens challenging. Tough par 3s. Helps to have course knowledge of the greens to know where to aim on approaches. Had a great time
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Played Fri 12/20. Walked on as a single at 7:15am, they got me on at 8:30 (so went and got breakfast nearby, recommend ... » More

Played Fri 12/20. Walked on as a single at 7:15am, they got me on at 8:30 (so went and got breakfast nearby, recommend Kapiolani coffee shop). First off, it's now called Pearl at Kalauao. It was closed for like 2 years for course renovations, and just opened 12/18 i think. Not sure what they did.. I think redid the greens and bunkers, reseeded , cut some vegetation... the routing seems very similar. Anyways, was excited to get back out here, as I feel this is the best public non resort course. It's all I remembered: interesting holes, elevation changes, great views of the harbor. Course in above great shape. Greens grainy, firm, fast 10 downgrain, slow 9 into the grain. A tiny little bit bumpy, as ball marks were shallow enough not to be fixed cuz of the firmness. ball settled down in rough, but playable.
New carts with gps. Putting green is closed until next month. Fresh spam musubi in the pro shop for sale. Slow round, but had a great time.
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Played at 6:50 am on Sunday. Quite brisk when I got there. Second group out I believe so the 3:55 POP walking was pedest... » More

Played at 6:50 am on Sunday. Quite brisk when I got there. Second group out I believe so the 3:55 POP walking was pedestrian (pun intended).

Three of us played from the blue tees. They had the blue tee area roped off on the two par 3s on the front so they were playing shorter than usual. The course is is decent winter shape. They were putting quite a bit of water on it and it is greener than other courses I have played lately. The greens are nice right now and pretty quick. The two bunkers I was in had good sand. The tee boxes were spotty.

Overall, the course is in good shape and I hope to get back there soon.
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Can't recommend the course right now, especially for the price. Bunkers are GUR on about 16 holes? Many fairways and are... » More

Can't recommend the course right now, especially for the price. Bunkers are GUR on about 16 holes? Many fairways and areas in the 10-40 yard range short of the green are GUR on at least half the holes. Only saving grace were the greens, which are usually pretty solid here anyway. $87 to walk on a weekend is ridiculous, probably won't return for a long time.
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