Experience Burlingame Country Club’s championship golf course through our comprehensive hole-by-hole guide, offering strategic insights and playing tips for navigating our Tom Jackson-designed mountain layout.
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Hole-by-Hole Tour: Mastering Burlingame’s Championship Mountain Layout
Nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains at 3,000 feet elevation, Burlingame Country Club’s championship golf course offers a unique playing experience that blends challenging play with breathtaking natural beauty. Our Tom Jackson-designed course takes full advantage of the mountain terrain, creating a layout that rewards strategic thinking and precise shot-making. Whether you’re a member preparing for your next round or a guest planning your visit, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate each hole with confidence and appreciation for “The Best of Times” that await on our fairways.
Front Nine: Setting the Stage
Hole 1: A Welcoming Start
The opening hole at Burlingame eases you into your round with a straightforward par 4. From an elevated tee box, you’ll enjoy your first glimpse of the spectacular mountain views that define our course. The fairway slopes gently from right to left, so aim slightly right of center for the ideal position. The green is protected by a single bunker on the right, but offers a generous landing area for your approach. Morning players should account for lingering mist rising from the nearby Horse Pasture River, which may affect distance judgment.
Hole 2: The Decision Maker
This risk-reward par 5 presents your first strategic decision of the day. Long hitters might be tempted to reach the green in two, but beware of the creek that crosses the fairway about 280 yards from the tee. Your second shot must navigate a narrowing fairway that winds through mature hardwoods. The slightly elevated green features subtle breaks that can be challenging to read—pay careful attention to the way the mountain pulls putts toward the valley.
Hole 3: Precision Required
A picturesque par 3 that plays slightly downhill, this hole demands accuracy over distance. The green is surrounded by natural areas and protected by bunkers short and left. Club selection is critical here as mountain breezes can influence ball flight. The green has a pronounced ridge running through its center, creating distinct sections that can dramatically affect putting lines.
Local Knowledge: Front Nine Highlights
As you continue through holes 4-9, you’ll encounter our signature “Creek Corridor” stretch where the Horse Pasture River comes into play on three consecutive holes. The 7th hole—affectionately nicknamed “Decision Ridge” by our members—features one of the most photographed views on the entire course, with the Blue Ridge Mountains creating a stunning backdrop for your tee shot. The front nine concludes with a demanding par 4 that plays uphill all the way, requiring an extra club for your approach.
Back Nine: Rising to the Challenge
Hole 10: The Fresh Start
After a quick stop at the turn, the 10th hole offers a fresh challenge with its dogleg right design. The ideal drive favors the left side of the fairway to open up the best angle to the green. Mature hardwoods guard the right side, making recovery from errant tee shots difficult. The green sits naturally in a small hollow, with subtle mounding that tends to funnel balls toward the center—a clever design element that rewards thoughtful approaches.
The Mountain Stretch: Holes 11-14
This four-hole sequence represents the heart of Burlingame’s mountain character. The dramatic elevation changes require careful club selection and strategy. The par-3 12th plays significantly downhill, often requiring two to three clubs less than the yardage suggests. Meanwhile, the 13th—our most challenging par 4—demands an uphill approach to a well-guarded green that seems to hang on the mountainside. Members who’ve played hundreds of rounds still find these holes both challenging and inspiring, especially as the afternoon light casts long shadows across the fairways.
The Finishing Trio
Burlingame saves some of its best for last. The 16th hole provides a scoring opportunity with its reachable par 5 status, though the three-tiered green demands a precise approach. The 17th, a mid-length par 3, features our deepest bunker complex and a green that breaks more than it appears. The home hole delivers a memorable finish—a sweeping par 4 that leads back to the clubhouse with the Horse Pasture River guarding the right side of the fairway. As you make your final putts with the clubhouse in view, you’ll understand why so many members describe finishing a round at Burlingame as “coming home.”
Seasonal Playing Tips
Burlingame’s mountain setting creates unique playing conditions throughout the year. Spring rounds often feature softer fairways that reduce roll, making the course play longer than the stated yardage. Summer afternoons typically bring mountain breezes that can affect shots on our more exposed holes (particularly 3, 7, 12, and 17). Fall golf showcases not only spectacular foliage but also faster playing conditions as fairways firm up. Those lucky enough to play during the golden hour are treated to some of the most magnificent light conditions in mountain golf.
Remember that at our 3,000-foot elevation, golf balls typically travel about 5-7% farther than at sea level—a factor worth considering as you select clubs throughout your round.
Experience “The Best of Times” on Our Course
Ready to test your skills on our championship mountain layout? Burlingame Country Club offers members and their guests a golf experience that combines challenge, beauty, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that defines our community. From early morning rounds as the mist rises from the Horse Pasture River to afternoon play with family and friends, our course provides the perfect setting for creating those golden, sparkling moments that bind us together.
Contact our Pro Shop at (828) 966-9200 to schedule your tee time or to inquire about playing privileges. Your private adventure on Burlingame’s championship mountain layout awaits!