Bay Hills Golf Club

Bay Hills Golf Club sits in Arnold, Maryland, a community on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay between Annapolis and the Bay Bridge. Ed Ault designed the course, which opened in the 1960s during a period of significant residential golf development in Anne Arundel County. Ault, a Mid-Atlantic architect active from the 1950s through the 1980s, built numerous courses across Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, often working within modest budgets to create playable layouts for growing suburban populations. The course occupies gently rolling terrain typical of the tidewater region, with mature tree-lined fairways and modest elevation changes. The routing reflects the residential development pattern common to the era, with homes bordering many holes. Water features appear on several holes, consistent with the low-lying topography near the Chesapeake watershed. The layout provides a straightforward test suitable for daily play, with length and hazard placement that accommodate a range of skill levels. Bay Hills operates as a semi-private facility, offering both member and public access. The club serves the local Arnold and Annapolis communities, providing a convenient option in an area with limited public golf inventory. The course has undergone periodic updates to maintain playability and address agronomic needs, though the basic Ault routing remains intact. Its location near the Naval Academy and state capital gives it a steady membership base drawn from military, government, and local business populations.