Experience the unmatched beauty and challenge of mountain golf at Burlingame Country Club. Discover course highlights, seasonal playing tips, member tournaments, and why our championship course offers one of the most memorable golfing experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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The Definitive Guide to Championship Mountain Golf at Burlingame

Experience Mountain Golf Like Never Before

Nestled at 3,000 feet elevation in North Carolina’s majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Burlingame Country Club’s championship golf course offers a playing experience that combines breathtaking natural beauty with thoughtful, challenging design. The course weaves through our 1,450-acre mountain community, providing dramatic elevation changes, stunning mountain vistas, and perfectly manicured conditions that change with the seasons. Whether you’re navigating the scenic water features or testing your skills on our true-rolling greens, every round at Burlingame creates lasting memories and compelling challenges for golfers of all abilities.

Table of Contents

• Course Overview: Burlingame’s Signature Design
• The Four Seasons of Mountain Golf
• Signature Holes: The Heart of Burlingame
• Beyond the Course: Golf Amenities at Burlingame
• Tournament Traditions and Member Events
• Instruction and Improvement Opportunities
• Preparing for Your Round: Tips for Success
• Mountain Golf Etiquette and Pace of Play
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Member Testimonials
• Contact Burlingame Golf Shop

Course Overview: Burlingame’s Signature Design

Constructed between 1983 and 1985, Burlingame’s championship course represents thoughtful integration with the natural mountain landscape. The course follows the gentle contours of our mountain setting, offering strategic challenges while showcasing the natural beauty that makes this region so special.

Course Specifications

The 18-hole championship layout features multiple tee options to accommodate players of varying skill levels. From the championship tees, the course presents a robust test of golf skill, while forward tees ensure enjoyable rounds for all members. Meticulously maintained bentgrass fairways and greens provide consistent playing conditions throughout the season.

Our course is characterized by its natural mountain features, including:

Natural Features and Design Elements

The Horsepasture River creates both scenic beauty and strategic considerations as it winds through several holes. Ancient hardwood forests frame many fairways, creating a sense of peaceful seclusion while playing. The course’s significant elevation changes not only create spectacular views but also require thoughtful club selection and course management.

Burlingame’s green complexes are known for their true rolling surfaces and subtle breaks that reward careful reading. Strategic bunkering throughout the course protects key landing areas and green approaches without being overly punitive.

The Four Seasons of Mountain Golf

One of the unique joys of golf at Burlingame is experiencing the course’s transformation through four distinct seasons, each offering its own special character and playing conditions.

Spring Golf (April-May)

Spring golf at Burlingame showcases the rebirth of our mountain landscape. Flowering dogwoods, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel create a colorful backdrop against the emerging green fairways. The cool mountain mornings give way to comfortable afternoon temperatures—perfect for golf.

Spring playing conditions feature lush fairways as the course awakens from winter. The greens begin reaching their summer speeds, and the early season offers opportunities to work on your game before the busier summer months. Spring golf at Burlingame connects you with the renewal of the mountain ecosystem and the anticipation of the golfing season ahead.

Summer Golf (June-August)

Summer brings our course to peak condition, with bentgrass fairways and greens maintained to championship standards. The mild mountain climate, with average temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowland areas, makes Burlingame an ideal summer golf destination.

The long summer days allow for extended playing hours, with evening rounds offering particularly magical lighting conditions across the course. Summer tournaments and social events create a vibrant club atmosphere, while family golf programs engage younger generations in the game.

Fall Golf (September-November)

Fall golf at Burlingame delivers what many members consider the most spectacular visual experience of the year. The Blue Ridge Mountains transform with brilliant autumn colors, creating a panorama of reds, oranges, and golds that frame each hole.

The course conditions remain excellent through fall, with crisp air that can add distance to your shots. The comfortable playing temperatures and reduced humidity create ideal golf weather. The changing angle and quality of sunlight throughout fall adds distinctive character to familiar holes. Many photographers specifically visit during this season to capture the 17th and 18th holes framed by autumn colors.

Winter Golf (Weather Permitting)

While our mountain location experiences seasonal closures during periods of winter weather, we often enjoy clear, crisp days that allow for winter golf. These special winter playing opportunities offer a different perspective on the course, with open vistas through dormant trees revealing the true contours of the mountain landscape.

Winter rounds are characterized by firmer fairways that can add significant roll to well-struck drives. The pace of play is relaxed during winter months, allowing for unhurried enjoyment of the course. Many members appreciate the unique beauty of occasional light snow dusting the mountains while playing on clear winter days.

Signature Holes: The Heart of Burlingame

While every hole at Burlingame offers its own character and challenge, several signature holes have become particularly beloved by members and guests alike.

The 7th Hole: “Horsepasture Crossing”

This par 4 requires a thoughtful tee shot placed between the river on the right and protective bunkers on the left. The approach shot plays slightly uphill to a green protected by the river along its right edge. The green’s subtle breaks reward careful putting.

The 12th Hole: “Mountain View”

A dramatic par 3 playing from an elevated tee to a green surrounded by bunkers. The panoramic mountain views from this tee box often cause first-time players to pause in appreciation before addressing their shot. Club selection is critical here as mountain breezes can affect ball flight.

The 17th and 18th Holes: “The Finishing Stretch”

These two holes, consistently mentioned in member testimonials as among the most beautiful in mountain golf, create a memorable conclusion to every round. The 17th features a risk-reward tee shot with the possibility of gaining significant advantage for those willing to challenge the dogleg. The 18th brings players home with a spectacular approach shot to a green framed by the clubhouse in the background. These finishing holes are particularly stunning in autumn when the surrounding foliage reaches peak color.

Beyond the Course: Golf Amenities at Burlingame

The golf experience at Burlingame extends well beyond the 18 holes through comprehensive amenities designed to enhance your enjoyment of the game.

Pro Shop Excellence

Our fully-stocked professional shop offers a carefully curated selection of apparel, equipment, and accessories from premium golf brands. The professional staff provides personalized service and equipment recommendations tailored to your game.

Practice Facilities

Comprehensive practice areas include a full driving range with multiple target greens allowing for focused practice on distance control. The short game area features dedicated putting and chipping greens that replicate on-course conditions. Practice bunkers allow for refinement of sand play techniques essential for success on our course.

Golf Cart Fleet and Walking Options

Our modern golf cart fleet features GPS systems showing precise yardages and hole information. While many members choose to ride, the course is designed to be walkable for those who prefer the traditional walking experience. Caddie services can be arranged upon request for those seeking the classic golf experience.

Club Storage and Locker Room Facilities

For member convenience, we offer club storage services, ensuring your equipment is always ready for play. The well-appointed locker rooms provide all the amenities needed for preparation before and relaxation after your round.

Tournament Traditions and Member Events

Burlingame’s rich golf culture is expressed through a variety of tournaments and events that create camaraderie and friendly competition among our membership.

Major Member Tournaments

The Club Championship represents our premier competitive event, determining the top players across various divisions. The Member-Guest Tournament highlights our tradition of hospitality, allowing members to showcase the Burlingame experience to friends. Our Member-Member events foster partnership and teamwork through various formats throughout the season.

Ladies’ and Men’s Golf Associations

Active Ladies’ and Men’s Golf Associations organize regular play days and special events. These associations welcome players of all abilities, fostering both improvement and social connection. Special interclub competitions bring friendly rivalry with other prestigious mountain clubs.

Family and Junior Golf Programs

We place special emphasis on family golf through parent-child tournaments and family golf evenings. Our comprehensive junior golf program develops young players through age-appropriate instruction, on-course experiences, and junior tournaments. The multi-generational nature of Burlingame creates opportunities for family golf traditions to develop and flourish.

Seasonal Golf Events

Special seasonal events mark the golf calendar, including our Spring Opening Day Scramble welcoming members back after winter. Summer twilight events combine golf with social gatherings in the perfect mountain evening weather. Our Fall Colors Tournament celebrates the spectacular autumn beauty of our mountain setting.

Instruction and Improvement Opportunities

Burlingame offers comprehensive instruction options to help members of all abilities improve their enjoyment of the game.

Professional Instruction

Our PGA professionals provide private lessons tailored to individual needs and goals. Video analysis technology helps players visualize their swing mechanics and understand suggested improvements. Playing lessons on the course focus on strategy, course management, and real-world shot selection.

Group Clinics and Workshops

Regular group clinics address specific aspects of the game, from driving to putting to bunker play. Specialized workshops might focus on topics like course management, rules of golf, or mental approaches to the game. New golfer introductory programs welcome beginners into the game with foundational instruction.

Custom Club Fitting

Professional club fitting services ensure your equipment matches your physical attributes and swing characteristics. Our launch monitor technology provides precise data for optimizing your equipment choices. Regular club fitting days with major manufacturers bring the latest technology to our members.

Physical Preparation for Golf

Through our comprehensive fitness center, golf-specific fitness programs help develop strength, flexibility, and stability for improved performance. Physical therapists and fitness professionals can develop personalized programs to address individual needs or limitations. Proper warm-up routines prepare the body for the physical demands of the golf swing.

Preparing for Your Round: Tips for Success

Mountain golf presents unique challenges and considerations. Here’s how to make the most of your Burlingame experience.

Understanding Mountain Golf

The ball travels farther at our elevation—approximately 5-7% farther than at sea level. Learning to adjust your club selection accordingly improves scoring. Understanding how elevation changes within the course affect shot selection is crucial for course management.

Equipment Considerations

A rangefinder with slope function is particularly valuable on a mountain course with significant elevation changes. Carrying extra golf balls is wise, especially for first-time players unfamiliar with the course. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, so keeping rain gear and layered clothing accessible is recommended.

Course Navigation

Local knowledge significantly enhances play at Burlingame. Our professional staff can provide valuable insights about the course before your round. Understanding the course’s natural slopes and drainage patterns helps anticipate how balls will react upon landing.

Physical Preparation

The mountain setting with its elevation changes makes proper hydration essential throughout your round. A brief stretching routine before play helps prepare for the physical demands of mountain golf. Pace yourself during the round, especially if walking, as the terrain is more demanding than flatter courses.

Mountain Golf Etiquette and Pace of Play

Burlingame members take pride in maintaining traditions of golf etiquette that enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the course.

Pace of Play Guidelines

We strive for rounds of 4 hours and 15 minutes or less, keeping play moving at a comfortable pace. The “ready golf” concept is encouraged—play when ready rather than strictly adhering to honors. Keeping pace with the group ahead, rather than just staying ahead of the group behind, is our standard practice.

Course Care

Proper divot repair helps maintain our beautiful fairways. Fixing ball marks on our greens ensures smooth putting surfaces for all players. Bunker etiquette includes entering from the low side and thoroughly raking after play. Our environmental commitment extends to respecting natural areas and wildlife throughout the course.

Golf Cart Operation

Following cart path rules and daily guidance from the golf shop protects course conditions. The 90-degree rule is typically in effect unless conditions require cart path only. Observing safety guidelines around greens, tees, and environmentally sensitive areas is essential. Thoughtful cart operation contributes to both course condition and safety.

Technology and Communication

Cell phone use is limited to emergencies or essential communications to maintain the peaceful atmosphere. Golf shop staff can assist with emergency contacts if needed during your round. Photography is welcome but should be conducted without delaying play.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dress code for the golf course at Burlingame?

We maintain a traditional golf dress code that includes collared shirts for men and appropriate golf attire for women. Denim, athletic shorts, and t-shirts are not permitted on the course. The golf shop staff can provide specific guidance if you have questions about appropriate attire.

Are guests allowed to play the course, and what are the policies?

Members may bring guests to enjoy our golf facilities. Guest privileges include access to the course, practice areas, and clubhouse facilities. There are seasonal limitations on guest play during peak periods, and all guests must be accompanied by a member. Please contact the golf shop for current guest fees and policies.

What is the best time of year to experience golf at Burlingame?

Each season offers its own special character, but many members particularly cherish our fall golf season when the mountain foliage reaches peak color, creating a spectacular backdrop for play. The summer months offer consistent excellent conditions with comfortable temperatures, while spring brings the beauty of mountain wildflowers and flowering trees.

Member Testimonials

Experience Championship Mountain Golf at Burlingame

The golf experience at Burlingame Country Club represents the perfect blend of challenging play, stunning natural beauty, and warm community spirit. Whether you’re testing your skills in one of our member tournaments, enjoying a casual round with family, or simply practicing your short game as the sun sets behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, our championship course offers golf memories that last a lifetime.

For members, our golf shop staff is ready to assist with tee times, tournament registration, instruction scheduling, or equipment needs. We invite you to make the most of your Burlingame golf experience and discover why our members consider our course one of the true hidden gems of mountain golf.

Contact the Burlingame Golf Shop: (650) 342-0750