Bay Hill's iconic 17th hole has undergone a significant transformation ahead of the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. The distinctive beach bunker that formerly lined the right side of the green has been removed and replaced with a bank of thick rough.

The change is notable in two key aspects:

1. The new rough is particularly dense, which according to player Michael Kim, may actually help prevent balls from rolling into the water when landing on the bank - provided they don't get too close to the lake's edge.

2. The shoreline of the lake now extends further into the area where the beach bunker used to be, reducing the margin for error on approach shots to the green.

While the thick rough might provide some protection against water hazards, the overall change creates a more challenging shot due to the reduced landing area. The effectiveness of this course modification will become clearer after players tackle the renovated hole during tournament play.

The impact of this change on scoring and strategy will be particularly interesting to observe during the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational, as players adjust their approach to this critical par-3 hole in the closing stretch.

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