The Complete Guide to Burlingame Country Club’s Golf Experience

Experience Mountain Golf at Its Finest

Nestled among the mist-covered peaks of Western North Carolina, Burlingame Country Club’s golf course offers more than just a round of golf—it delivers a journey through some of the most stunning natural landscapes the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer. The course weaves through mountain forests, alongside sparkling waters, and opens to breathtaking vistas that change with each passing season.

Here, golf becomes a dialogue with nature. The rustling leaves, the distant peaks, and the crisp mountain air create a playing experience that challenges your skill while rejuvenating your spirit. Every drive, approach, and putt is framed by the ancient mountains that have witnessed generations of players test their mettle against this thoughtfully designed course.

Whether you’re a serious golfer seeking to test your abilities or simply looking to enjoy a leisurely round in spectacular surroundings, Burlingame’s course promises moments that linger in memory long after the final putt drops.

In This Guide:

• Course Overview & Design Philosophy
• Hole-by-Hole Tour & Playing Strategies
• Seasonal Playing Conditions & Tips
• Practice Facilities & Improvement Programs
• Club Tournaments & Events
• Pro Shop Services & Equipment
• Golf-Related Amenities & Services
• The Member Experience & Golf Community
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Member Testimonials

Course Overview & Design Philosophy

The golf course at Burlingame Country Club stands as a testament to thoughtful design that honors its mountain setting. Unlike courses that impose themselves upon the land, Burlingame’s layout follows the natural contours of the terrain, creating a playing experience that feels both challenging and harmonious with its surroundings.

The course presents a varied set of challenges, with elevation changes that affect club selection and strategy. Fairways wind through corridors of native trees, opening occasionally to reveal panoramic mountain vistas. The greens, known for their consistent speed and subtle breaks, reward thoughtful approach shots and a delicate putting touch.

Water features come into play on several holes, including tranquil ponds that reflect the surrounding forest and mountains. Bunkers are strategically placed to protect greens and challenge aggressive lines of play, yet the course remains fair—rewarding good shots while offering recovery options for those who stray.

What truly distinguishes Burlingame’s golf experience is how it changes with the seasons. Spring brings vibrant new growth and blooming native flowers along fairways. Summer offers lush playing conditions and comfortable mountain temperatures. Fall transforms the course into a tapestry of gold, crimson, and amber as the leaves change. Even winter, with its clear mountain light and sparse landscapes, reveals the architectural bones of the course in a new light.

Hole-by-Hole Tour & Playing Strategies

Each hole at Burlingame tells its own story, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Let’s walk through some of the signature holes that members come to know intimately over years of play:

The Opening Challenge

The first hole welcomes players with a relatively generous fairway but demands accuracy with the approach shot. A gentle dogleg framed by tall pines sets the tone for the round ahead. The smart play is to position your tee shot for the best angle into a green that slopes subtly from back to front.

The Mountain Vista

One of the most photographed holes on the course offers an elevated tee box with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fairway flows downhill, tempting players to swing aggressively for extra distance. However, the prudent player considers how the elevation change affects club selection and ball flight, especially when mountain breezes come into play.

The Water Challenge

This memorable par-3 requires a carry over water to a green protected by bunkers. The putting surface features subtle ridges that create distinct sections, making green reading a true test of skill. Morning shadows from surrounding trees can make distance perception challenging, so experienced members know to take an extra moment to confirm their club selection.

The Risk-Reward

A shorter par-4 that tempts longer hitters to drive the green while presenting significant trouble for misplayed aggressive attempts. The conservative route offers a wide landing area but leaves a more challenging approach. This hole perfectly exemplifies the strategic options that make Burlingame a thinking player’s course.

The Grand Finale

The closing hole delivers a fitting end to the round, requiring both power and precision. The approach shot to a well-protected green often plays slightly uphill, with the clubhouse providing a picturesque backdrop. Many a friendly match has been decided on this challenging finishing hole, which rewards those who can execute under pressure.

Throughout the course, local knowledge proves invaluable. Putts that appear to break one way often have subtle counterinfluences from the surrounding mountains. Approaches that use the contours of the land to feed balls toward pin positions separate those who play the course from those who truly know it.

Seasonal Playing Conditions & Tips

One of the joys of golf at Burlingame is experiencing how the course transforms through the changing seasons of Western North Carolina. Each season offers distinct playing conditions and visual experiences that make year-round golf a delight.

Spring Golf: Renewal and Challenges

As the mountains awaken from winter, the course comes alive with vibrant green fairways and blooming native flora. Spring golf brings slightly softer conditions and occasional morning mist that burns off to reveal crisp visibility. The seasonal streams and water features flow more vigorously, sometimes bringing additional water hazards into play.

Spring playing tip: Morning rounds often start cool but warm quickly—layering is essential. The ball typically doesn’t roll as far on spring fairways, so club up accordingly and adjust your expectations for run-out on drives.

Summer Play: Peak Conditions

Summer delivers the course in its glory, with lush fairways and consistent green speeds. The signature benefit of mountain golf becomes apparent as you enjoy temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than the surrounding lowlands. Afternoon thunderstorms occasionally interrupt play but quickly give way to some of the most beautiful light conditions for evening rounds.

Summer playing tip: Afternoon rounds often face changing wind patterns as thermal currents develop in the mountains. Morning tee times generally offer more consistent conditions, while twilight rounds reward players with spectacular sunset views on the closing holes.

Fall Golf: A Visual Feast

Many members consider fall the premier season for golf at Burlingame. The famous Blue Ridge fall colors transform the course into a canvas of red, orange, and gold. Playing conditions feature firmer fairways with increased roll and crisp, clear air that seems to add distance to well-struck shots.

Fall playing tip: The ball travels farther in the less humid autumn air, so consider adjusting your club selection. Also, shadows lengthen earlier in the day, affecting how you read greens on late afternoon rounds. The contrast between sunlit areas and shadows can make depth perception challenging on approach shots.

Winter Golf: Clear Perspectives

On milder winter days, the course offers a unique experience. With deciduous trees bare, sight lines open up, revealing the true architecture of the course. Winter golf rewards those who appreciate subtle details, with the added advantage of faster fairways and the ability to shape shots through corridors previously blocked by foliage.

Winter playing tip: Morning frost delays are common, but the wait is often rewarded with spectacular clear conditions. The ball doesn’t fly as far in colder air, so club selection becomes even more crucial. The bare trees also mean errant shots may travel farther offline—precision becomes paramount.

Practice Facilities & Improvement Programs

Burlingame’s commitment to golf excellence extends beyond the course itself to comprehensive practice facilities designed to help members refine every aspect of their game.

The Practice Range Experience

The driving range offers multiple hitting stations on natural turf, allowing members to practice with the same feel they’ll experience on the course. Target greens at various distances help players calibrate their distance control, while the backdrop of mountain scenery makes even practice sessions a pleasure. The range is oriented to allow practice in various wind conditions, preparing players for what they’ll encounter during their rounds.

Premium range balls are provided, and the practice tee is refreshed regularly to maintain ideal conditions. Dedicated short-game areas feature practice bunkers and chipping areas with different grass lengths to simulate various on-course scenarios.

Putting Greens

The main putting green mirrors the speed and contours of the course greens, giving players a true preview of what they’ll face during their round. This spacious green allows for practice of both straight putts and breaking putts of various lengths. Many members develop a pre-round routine that includes time on this green to calibrate their touch for the day’s conditions.

An additional putting green near the range focuses on fundamental skills development, with more predictable slopes that help beginners build confidence while allowing more advanced players to perfect their stroke mechanics.

Instruction Programs

Burlingame’s golf professionals offer personalized instruction tailored to each member’s goals and abilities. From fundamentals for beginners to advanced game refinement for low-handicap players, the professional staff brings decades of teaching experience to every lesson.

Regular clinics address specific aspects of the game, such as bunker play, putting techniques, or course management. Video analysis tools help members visualize their swing mechanics, while launch monitors provide data-driven insights for equipment optimization and swing adjustments.

Junior Golf Development

Burlingame takes special pride in its junior golf programs, which introduce the next generation to the game while instilling values of sportsmanship and respect for tradition. Age-appropriate instruction combines fun activities with skill development, ensuring young players build a lasting love for golf.

Summer junior camps have become a tradition for many families, with some current adult members fondly recalling their own experiences in these programs years ago. The continuation of this legacy across generations embodies Burlingame’s commitment to being a true family club.

Club Tournaments & Events

The tournament schedule at Burlingame creates a rhythm to the golf season, offering competitive opportunities for players of all skill levels while fostering community through shared experiences.

Member Championships

The Club Championship stands as the premier competitive event of the year, determining the best players across various divisions. Held in late summer when the course is in peak condition, this multi-day event features flights for different handicap ranges, ensuring all members can participate meaningfully.

The Senior Championship honors the club’s more experienced players, while the Women’s Championship showcases the skill and competitive spirit of female members. These events become social occasions as much as competitions, with fellow members following final groups and gathering to celebrate at the conclusion.

Seasonal Tournaments

The golf calendar features events that celebrate the changing seasons. The Spring Opening scramble welcomes members back after winter and introduces new members to the community. The Fall Classic, played amid the spectacular autumn colors, often becomes a visual highlight of the year, with players pausing to appreciate particularly stunning vistas between shots.

Holiday tournaments around Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day blend competition with celebration, often incorporating themes and festivities that extend beyond the golf course to include families in the experience.

Weekly Events

Regular men’s and women’s days create consistent opportunities for play with changing groups, helping members build relationships throughout the club. These events range from serious competitions to more social formats designed primarily for enjoyment and camaraderie.

Twilight mixers pair members randomly, creating new connections while enjoying the magical quality of evening golf in the mountains. These events often conclude with casual dining on the terrace, where the day’s memorable shots and near-misses become the subject of friendly conversation.

Charity Invitational

Burlingame’s commitment to the broader community shines through its signature charity event, which welcomes select non-members to join in raising funds for local causes. This event has become a highlight of the Western North Carolina golf calendar, known for both its competitive excellence and its contribution to regional needs.

Through these varied events, golf at Burlingame transcends sport to become a vehicle for community building, friendly competition, and shared experiences that enrich members’ lives.

Pro Shop Services & Equipment

Burlingame’s pro shop goes beyond the typical country club retail space to offer a comprehensive resource for equipment, apparel, and expertise that enhances members’ enjoyment of the game.

Curated Equipment Selection

Rather than overwhelming members with endless options, the professional staff carefully selects equipment that best suits the specific playing conditions of mountain golf. Major manufacturers are represented, but the focus remains on quality and performance rather than simply stocking the latest advertised products.

Custom fitting services use state-of-the-art technology to match equipment to individual swing characteristics. The fitting process considers the unique demands of playing at elevation and in variable mountain conditions, ensuring members get equipment optimized for where they play most frequently.

Distinctive Apparel

The apparel selection reflects Burlingame’s understated elegance, featuring high-performance fabrics in classic designs. Club-logoed items are tastefully executed, becoming cherished representations of membership that members wear proudly both on and off the property.

Seasonal collections anticipate the changing mountain weather, from lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics for summer to layering pieces that accommodate the variable temperatures of spring and fall. Winter selections include items that allow the dedicated golfer to enjoy comfortable play even on crisp days.

Member Services

The pro shop staff provides services that go far beyond simple retail transactions. Club storage allows members to arrive unencumbered, finding their equipment cleaned and ready for play. Repair services address everything from simple grip replacements to more complex shaft adjustments and loft/lie corrections.

Special order capabilities ensure members can access specific items not regularly stocked, while gift services help members select perfect presents for golf-loving family and friends, complete with thoughtful presentation.

Tournament Support

For club events, the pro shop transforms into tournament headquarters, handling pairings, scorecards, and results tabulation. The staff’s attention to detail ensures events run smoothly, from the first tee time to the award presentations.

Custom merchandise for special tournaments creates lasting mementos of these shared experiences, while tournament packages for member-guest events help hosts provide a memorable experience for their invited players.

Through these varied offerings, the pro shop becomes an essential resource that enhances the overall golf experience at Burlingame, combining product knowledge with personalized service that builds lasting relationships with members.

Golf-Related Amenities & Services

Beyond the course itself, Burlingame offers a suite of amenities and services that elevate the golf experience from a simple round to a comprehensive lifestyle.

Dining Experiences

The Clubhouse Grill provides casual dining with panoramic views of the course and mountains beyond. Morning coffee and light breakfast options fuel early rounds, while lunch offerings range from quick sandwiches between nines to more leisurely post-round meals where the day’s play can be relived and analyzed.

The signature 19th Hole features craft cocktails and an extensive wine selection, creating the perfect setting to conclude a day on the course. Seasonal outdoor seating takes full advantage of pleasant evenings, with fire features extending the outdoor season into cooler months.

Locker Room Facilities

The men’s and women’s locker rooms offer far more than simple changing spaces. Appointed with quality fixtures and finishes, these areas provide all the comforts needed to prepare for or refresh after a round. Attendants offer shoe care services, keeping golf shoes in top condition throughout the season.

Locker room lounges create spaces for casual conversation and spontaneous gatherings, where golf traditions and club lore are passed between generations of members. These spaces often host some of the most meaningful connections within the club community.

Golf Social Events

Evening events centered around major professional tournaments transform the clubhouse into a gathering place where members share their passion for the game. Masters viewing parties have become a particular tradition, with special menus inspired by the famous Augusta National offerings.

Golf-themed dinners pair fine cuisine with wine or spirits, sometimes featuring guest speakers from the golf world who share insights and stories that deepen members’ appreciation for the game’s rich history and traditions.

Transportation Services

For members who prefer not to drive or who have homes within the Burlingame community, shuttle services provide convenient transportation to and from the clubhouse. This service is particularly appreciated for evening events or when weather conditions make driving less desirable.

Golf cart paths connect the course to residential areas within the community, allowing members to travel directly from their homes to the first tee without requiring vehicle use, enhancing both convenience and the environmental sensitivity that characterizes Burlingame’s approach.

These thoughtfully designed amenities and services create a seamless experience where every aspect of the member’s needs has been anticipated, allowing full immersion in the pleasures of mountain golf without distraction or inconvenience.

The Member Experience & Golf Community

What truly distinguishes Burlingame is not just the quality of its facilities but the character of its community. The golf experience extends beyond the physical act of playing to encompass relationships and traditions that enrich members’ lives.

Cultivating Connections

Golf naturally creates opportunities for meaningful interaction, and Burlingame enhances these through thoughtful programming. New member integration includes pairing with established members who share similar interests or playing abilities, helping newcomers quickly feel part of the community.

Regular mixed events ensure members meet people outside their usual playing groups, while the tradition of welcoming singles or smaller groups to join others creates a culture of inclusion that prevents the formation of isolated cliques.

Generational Enjoyment

Few things better exemplify Burlingame’s family focus than seeing three generations playing together on a summer afternoon. Grandparents introduce grandchildren to the game on the same course where they once taught their own children, creating continuity of experience that becomes part of family lore.

Family golf events are structured to accommodate various skill levels, sometimes using alternate formats that allow even beginning players to contribute meaningfully to a team’s success. These shared experiences create bonds that transcend the typical family gathering.

Respecting Tradition While Embracing Evolution

Burlingame honors golf’s rich traditions through emphasis on etiquette, pace of play, and respect for the course. The community values these aspects of golf culture while avoiding stuffiness or exclusionary practices that might create unnecessary barriers to enjoyment.

At the same time, the club embraces positive evolutions in the game, from technology that enhances playing experiences to more inclusive approaches that welcome diverse participants. This balance of tradition and progress ensures Burlingame remains relevant while maintaining the timeless qualities that make golf special.

Environmental Stewardship

Members take pride in the club’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The course maintenance practices emphasize responsible resource usage, wildlife habitat preservation, and integration with the natural mountain ecosystem.

Educational programs help members understand these efforts, fostering a community-wide appreciation for the environmental context of their golf experience and a shared commitment to preserving the natural beauty that makes Burlingame exceptional.

Through these varied aspects of community, Burlingame creates a golf experience that transcends sport to become a meaningful part of members’ identities and family histories—truly delivering on the promise of “The Best of Times.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Burlingame’s golf course unique compared to other mountain courses?

Burlingame distinguishes itself through a design that harmonizes with rather than dominates the natural mountain terrain. The course features thoughtfully integrated elevation changes, strategic use of native landscapes, and playing corridors that frame spectacular mountain views. Unlike courses that simply occupy mountainous land, Burlingame’s layout feels as though it emerged naturally from the landscape, creating a playing experience that challenges golfers while celebrating the beauty of Western North Carolina.

How does playing at elevation affect my game at Burlingame?

The mountain elevation impacts ball flight in several significant ways. Most notably, you’ll experience increased distance compared to similar shots at sea level—typically 5-7% farther depending on the club. The thinner air also affects ball curvature, often exaggerating hooks and slices. Additionally, approach shots typically land softer with less roll-out. Our professional staff can provide personalized advice on adjusting your club selection and strategy to account for these elevation effects, helping you play more effectively during your rounds.

What golf-related events do you offer for families with children of different ages and abilities?

Burlingame offers a progressive family golf program designed to include all ages and skill levels. Family scramble events use modified tees and special rules that allow even beginners to contribute meaningfully. Parent-child tournaments are structured by age groups, from the “Little Linksters” (ages 6-9) through teen divisions. During summer months, weekly family golf hours reserve time when the course atmosphere is especially welcoming to younger players still learning etiquette. Our golf professionals also create custom family learning experiences tailored to your specific family dynamics and goals.

Member Testimonials

Experience Burlingame Golf: Where Nature and Tradition Meet

As the sun sets behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, casting long shadows across Burlingame’s fairways, you begin to understand why members speak of this place with such reverence. It’s more than just the challenging play, the immaculate conditions, or even the breathtaking scenery—though each of these would be enough to make any course exceptional.

What truly sets Burlingame apart is how these elements come together with a welcoming community to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Here, golf transcends sport to become a medium through which generations connect, friendships deepen, and memories take root.

The course changes with the seasons, offering new perspectives and challenges throughout the year. The morning mist of spring, the vibrant clarity of summer, the kaleidoscope colors of fall, and the crisp, revealing light of winter each provide distinctive experiences on the same beloved holes.

Whether you’re challenging yourself to break a personal best score or simply enjoying an unhurried round with family, Burlingame provides the perfect setting for what the club has so aptly called “The Best of Times.” These are the moments that linger in memory long after the scorecard is forgotten—the shared laughter after an unexpected shot, the companionable silence while taking in a particularly beautiful view, the feeling of connection to something larger than oneself.

We invite you to learn more about joining our community, where the timeless tradition of golf meets the natural splendor of Western North Carolina’s mountains. Contact our membership office at (828) 966-9200 to arrange a visit and experience firsthand what makes Burlingame not just a country club, but a place where life’s most meaningful moments unfold against the backdrop of extraordinary beauty.