How to Book Tee Times at Burlingame Country Club in Cashiers, NC
Getting on the course at Burlingame Country Club starts with knowing exactly how the reservation process works, who can book, and what to expect when you arrive at 3,000 feet in the Blue Ridge. This page covers everything from member booking access and guest policies to the best times to play the Tom Jackson-designed 18-hole championship course in Cashiers, NC. Whether you’re already a member planning your next round or a prospective golfer curious about what this mountain course offers, you’ll find clear, practical answers here.
Essential Overview
- Members book tee times directly through the club’s member portal or by calling the golf shop at Burlingame Country Club.
- According to the National Golf Foundation, rounds played at private clubs account for roughly 30% of all golf activity in the United States, reflecting strong demand for exclusive access.
- Burlingame’s 18-hole championship course, designed by Tom Jackson, plays at elevations between 3,000 and 3,500 feet, giving rounds a distinct mountain character.
- Guests may play when accompanied by a member, subject to club policies on tee time availability and peak season restrictions.
- Contact Jennifer Webb at (828) 966-9200 or visit the club to schedule a personal tour and discuss membership access to the course.
Table of Contents
- Who Can Book Tee Times at Burlingame
- How the Booking Process Actually Works
- The Best Times to Play at 3,000 Feet
- What the Tom Jackson Course Plays Like
- Guest Policies and Bringing Friends to Play
- What to Expect at the Golf Shop
- Golf Instruction and Practice Facilities
- After Your Round: Dining at the Clubhouse
- Planning a Golf Trip to Cashiers, NC
- Membership and Course Access
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
Who Can Book Tee Times at Burlingame
Tee times at Burlingame Country Club are available to members and their approved guests. This is a private club, which means access to the course comes through membership rather than a public booking platform or third-party app. If you’re a current member, you already have the tools to reserve your spot. If you’re exploring what membership looks like, the golf experience is one of the clearest reasons people choose to join.
Burlingame sits in Cashiers, NC, in the heart of Sapphire Valley, and the course draws members from across the Southeast who spend part or all of the year in the mountains. Some are year-round residents. Others arrive in spring and stay through fall, building their weeks around morning rounds and afternoon time on the water or the trails. The point of private access is that when you want to play, you can, without dealing with the uncertainty of a public tee sheet.
If you’re not yet a member and want to experience the course before committing, the right first step is a conversation with the club. You can connect with the team to ask about member-guest opportunities and what visiting the property looks like.
How the Booking Process Actually Works
Members book tee times through the club’s member portal or by calling the golf shop directly. The process is straightforward, and the staff in the golf shop knows the course and the calendar well enough to help you find the right time based on your group size, pace of play preferences, and the day’s conditions.
Booking Methods Available to Members
- Online through the member portal at your convenience
- By phone with the golf shop staff who can check availability and suggest alternatives
- In person at the golf shop when you’re already on property
- Through the club’s app if available for your membership tier
- Via the club’s front desk for coordinating larger group outings
For group outings or events, it’s worth reaching out earlier in the week rather than the day before. The course sees consistent demand from late spring through early fall, and popular morning slots on weekends fill up. Calling ahead by a few days puts you in a much better position, especially if you’re planning a foursome or want a specific starting window.
The golf shop team can also help coordinate cart reservations, club rentals for guests, and any special setup you need for a member-hosted event. They’re a resource, not just a booking desk, so don’t hesitate to ask questions when you call.
The Best Times to Play at 3,000 Feet
The mountain elevation at Burlingame changes how the course plays across the seasons, and knowing that rhythm helps you plan better rounds. Summer mornings in Cashiers run cooler than the Carolina Piedmont or the coast, with temperatures often in the 60s at tee time even in July. That’s one of the reasons members come to the mountains in the first place.
Early morning slots typically offer the calmest conditions. Wind tends to pick up slightly in the afternoons, and afternoon thunderstorms are a regular part of summer in the southern Appalachians. Booking a 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. tee time gives you the best chance of completing your round in comfortable conditions and leaving the afternoon open for time on the Horsepasture River or the club’s other amenities.
Seasonal Considerations for Tee Times
- Spring (April to May): Cool mornings, occasionally soft fairways after rain, excellent course color
- Early summer (June): Peak season begins, morning slots fill quickly, book several days ahead
- Midsummer (July to August): Warm days but cool mornings, afternoon storms common, early tee times ideal
- Fall (September to October): The most requested season, foliage is spectacular, book as early as possible
- Late fall and winter: Course availability varies, check with the golf shop for current conditions
What the Tom Jackson Course Plays Like
The 18-hole championship course at Burlingame was designed by Tom Jackson, whose work across the Carolinas reflects a deep understanding of mountain terrain and how golfers actually want to play it. The course uses elevation changes, tree lines, and natural water features in ways that reward course management over raw power.
Playing at 3,000 to 3,500 feet above sea level, the ball carries slightly farther than it would at lower elevations, which gives most players a half to full club adjustment to think about. The fairways are generous in some places and exacting in others, and the greens hold their character across the season. Learn more about the golf experience at Burlingame and what makes this course worth building your mountain calendar around.
The mountain setting means you’re playing through hardwood forest, past ridgelines, and along stretches where the only sound is wind moving through the trees. It’s a round that feels like it belongs somewhere specific, not a course that could be transplanted anywhere. That specificity is part of what members come back for.
Guest Policies and Bringing Friends to Play
Members can bring guests to play the course, subject to Burlingame’s current guest policies. Guest rounds are arranged through the golf shop, and members are expected to accompany their guests during play. This keeps the experience consistent for everyone on the course and reflects the kind of community that makes a private club different from a daily fee operation.
If you’re considering bringing a group of friends or family for a golf trip in the Cashiers area, talking to the golf shop ahead of time is the right move. They can walk you through what’s available, any restrictions during high-demand periods, and how to make the day run smoothly from tee to clubhouse.
For prospective members who want to experience the course before joining, a member-sponsored round is one of the best ways to get a real feel for the place. Ask your host to walk you through the membership options while you’re on property. The conversation tends to happen naturally over 18 holes.
What to Expect at the Golf Shop
The golf shop at Burlingame is where your round officially begins. Staff there handle tee time check-ins, cart assignments, scoring, and any equipment or apparel you need before heading out. The shop carries gear appropriate to mountain golf conditions, and the team stays current on how the course is playing so they can give you a useful preview before your round.
Golf Shop Services
- Tee time check-in and confirmation
- Cart and pull cart assignments
- Club rentals for member guests
- Apparel and equipment available for purchase
- Course condition updates and yardage materials
- Coordination for group outings and member events
Arriving 20 to 30 minutes before your tee time gives you room to check in, hit a few balls on the range, and get settled before your round starts. That buffer matters more when you have guests, since getting everyone organized takes a few extra minutes that you don’t want to spend rushing.
Golf Instruction and Practice Facilities
Burlingame offers practice facilities that let members work on their games between rounds. The driving range and short game area give you a place to warm up before your tee time or spend time on specific parts of your game without needing to book a full round. If you’re a member who wants to make real improvement, consistent range time in a quiet mountain setting is hard to beat.
Golf instruction is available for members who want structured coaching, whether you’re working on a specific swing issue or starting from the basics. Lessons can be booked through the golf shop, and instructors familiar with the course can connect technique work directly to what you’ll face on the back nine. Golf lessons at Burlingame are worth exploring if you want to lower your handicap before the fall season gets underway.
Junior golf programming at Burlingame also gives families a reason to think about the course as a shared experience. If you have kids or grandkids who want to learn the game in a setting that doesn’t feel intimidating, the club’s instruction options are worth a conversation.
After Your Round: Dining at the Clubhouse
One of the genuine pleasures of a round at Burlingame is what comes after. The club offers six indoor and outdoor dining venues, and the kitchen under Executive Chef Fong brings real culinary attention to the post-round experience. You’re not stopping at a grill window for a hot dog. You’re settling in for a meal that reflects the same care the rest of the club takes in how it does things.
The outdoor dining options are especially good in the late morning and early afternoon, when the mountain air is cool and the light comes through the trees at an angle that makes everything look better. If you finished your round by 11:30, there’s plenty of time to sit down, eat well, and actually talk about the round rather than rushing off. Explore the dining venues at Burlingame to get a sense of what’s available and what the kitchen does well.
The clubhouse also connects to the broader social calendar of the club, so a post-round meal often turns into time with other members. That’s not an accident. It’s the kind of community texture that forms when people share a place they genuinely care about.
Planning a Golf Trip to Cashiers, NC
Cashiers sits at the intersection of Transylvania, Jackson, and Macon counties in the southern Blue Ridge, about an hour from Asheville and 90 minutes from Greenville, SC. The area draws visitors and seasonal residents who are looking for cool summers, mountain scenery, and a pace of life that’s harder to find at lower elevations.
| Driving from | Approximate Drive Time | Route Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 1 hour | US-64 West through Brevard |
| Charlotte, NC | 2.5 hours | I-85 to US-74 to US-64 |
| Greenville, SC | 90 minutes | US-276 North through Caesar’s Head |
| Atlanta, GA | 2.5 hours | I-985 to US-441 North |
| Columbia, SC | 2.5 hours | I-26 to US-64 |
For members staying on property or nearby in the Lake Toxaway or Sapphire Valley area, the commute to the first tee is minimal. For those driving in for a long weekend, the trip through the mountains is part of the experience, especially in fall when the hardwoods color up along US-64.
If you’re planning a stay around a golf trip, the club’s full range of activities means you’re never short of things to do between rounds. Fishing the Horsepasture, hiking nearby trails, and spending an afternoon at the pool all fit naturally into a mountain week built around golf.
Membership and Course Access
Access to the Burlingame course comes through membership, and the range of membership categories is designed to fit how different people use the club. Some members are here for golf primarily. Others come for the full scope of what mountain living at Burlingame looks like, from the dining and social calendar to the fitness facilities and the time spent outdoors.
If you’re evaluating whether Burlingame fits the life you’re building in the mountains, the honest answer is that the best way to know is to come see it. A personal tour with Jennifer Webb gives you a chance to walk the property, ask specific questions, and understand what membership actually includes rather than trying to piece it together from a website.
The membership page outlines the categories available, and the team is straightforward about what each one covers. There are no pressure tactics here. Burlingame earns its members through the quality of what it offers, and the golf course is one of the clearest pieces of evidence for why people choose to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-members play the Burlingame Country Club course?
The course at Burlingame is private, meaning access requires membership or a guest invitation from a current member. If you’re interested in playing before committing to membership, the best path is connecting with the club directly to ask about member-sponsored guest opportunities. Reach out through the contact page to start that conversation.
How far in advance can members book tee times?
Booking windows vary by season and club policy. In general, members should plan to book several days ahead during peak season, which runs from late spring through fall. The golf shop staff can confirm current booking windows and help you find availability if your preferred time is taken. Calling directly is often the fastest way to get a clear answer.
What is the dress code on the course?
Burlingame maintains a traditional golf dress code consistent with private club standards. Collared shirts, appropriate golf shorts or pants, and golf shoes are expected. The golf shop can clarify current specifics, and when in doubt, traditional golf attire is always the right call. Guest players should be informed of the dress code before arriving so the round starts smoothly.
Can I rent clubs if I’m visiting as a guest?
Club rentals for guests are available through the golf shop. It’s worth calling ahead to confirm availability and reserve what you need before your round. The shop staff can also advise on what rental options are on hand and whether they’re suited to your game, which saves time when you arrive and want to get to the range before your tee time.
What happens if weather forces a delay or cancellation?
Mountain weather in the Cashiers area can move quickly, particularly in the summer months. The club manages weather delays and round suspensions through standard golf protocols, including horn signals and shelter locations on the course. If severe weather forces a cancellation, the golf shop works with members to reschedule. Checking in with the shop before your round about afternoon storm forecasts is always a smart habit.
Are there golf leagues or regular member events at Burlingame?
Burlingame runs member golf events and competitive play throughout the season. These range from casual member-member formats to more structured tournaments that draw the competitive side out of the membership. The social calendar tied to golf is one of the features members reference most often when talking about why they joined. Check with the club for the current season’s event schedule and how to register.
Is there a golf course rating and slope for the Burlingame course?
The Tom Jackson-designed course at Burlingame carries official USGA course and slope ratings, which the golf shop can provide. Playing at elevation between 3,000 and 3,500 feet influences ball flight and overall course feel. If you’re tracking your handicap index, the shop staff can confirm the current ratings for each set of tees so your rounds count accurately.
How do I get more information about membership and course access?
The most direct path is contacting Jennifer Webb at (828) 966-9200 or visiting the membership page for an overview of available categories. A personal tour gives you a chance to see the course, the facilities, and the community in a way that no amount of reading online fully replicates. The team is straightforward and there’s no hard sell involved.
Summary
Booking a tee time at Burlingame Country Club means having member access to a Tom Jackson-designed 18-hole championship course at 3,000 to 3,500 feet in Cashiers, NC, one of the most naturally beautiful golf settings in the southern Appalachians. Members book through the portal or by calling the golf shop, guests play when accompanied by a member, and the best rounds typically start early to stay ahead of afternoon mountain weather. The National Golf Foundation notes that private club golf accounts for roughly 30% of all rounds played in the US, and the members who choose Burlingame are choosing something specific: mountain living, genuine community, and a course worth coming back to every season. If you’re ready to experience it directly, reach out to Jennifer Webb at (828) 966-9200 or schedule a personal tour to see what your tee times could look like.
Ready to Get on the Course
If you want to see the course for yourself before making any decisions, a personal tour is the easiest way to do it. Call Jennifer Webb at (828) 966-9200, or take a minute to Learn More about what membership at Burlingame looks like and how to plan your first visit to Cashiers, NC.