Navigate Burlingame’s challenging back nine with expert tips on conquering elevation changes, avoiding hazards, and playing signature holes strategically.
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Mastering the Back Nine at Burlingame Golf Course: Strategy Guide

The back nine at Burlingame presents a captivating challenge that tests even seasoned golfers. With its dramatic elevation changes, strategically placed hazards, and signature holes that demand precision, these final nine holes can make or break your round. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular looking to shave strokes off your score, understanding how to approach each hole can transform your experience on this beautiful yet demanding stretch of the course.

Understanding the Back Nine Terrain

The back nine at Burlingame features more pronounced elevation changes than the front, creating both challenges and opportunities. The rolling terrain affects not just your club selection but also how you read the greens, which tend to break toward the lower elevations. Wind patterns also change as you move through these holes, particularly as you reach the higher points of the course.

What makes these holes particularly tricky is how the course architects used the natural landscape to create subtle challenges. Shots that appear straightforward can be complicated by slopes that send seemingly good approaches rolling away from their targets. Take time before your round to observe how the terrain flows, especially if it’s your first time playing the back nine.

Hole-by-Hole Strategy Guide

Hole 10: The Gateway Challenge

This par 4 serves as your introduction to the back nine’s character. A slight dogleg right with bunkers guarding the landing area, the key here is positioning rather than distance. The green slopes from back to front, so keeping your approach below the hole gives you a much more manageable putt. Many players make the mistake of being too aggressive off the tee – instead, focus on placing your drive in the widest part of the fairway about 220-240 yards out.

Hole 12: The Elevation Master

This signature par 3 features a significant elevation drop from tee to green. Club selection is critical here – most players take at least one club less than the yardage suggests. The green is surrounded by troublesome bunkers, making accuracy essential. The putting surface has subtle breaks that are difficult to read, so pay careful attention to the grain and slope indicators. When in doubt, remember that putts tend to break more toward the lower side of the course than they appear.

Hole 15: The Decision Maker

This risk-reward par 5 often determines how your back nine will finish. Long hitters might be tempted to reach the green in two, but a creek crossing the fairway and bunkers surrounding the green make this a dangerous proposition. The smart play is often a three-shot strategy, using your second shot to set up an ideal approach angle. The green has multiple tiers, so knowing the day’s pin position is crucial for planning your approach.

Hole 18: The Grand Finale

Burlingame saves one of its toughest challenges for last. This uphill par 4 plays longer than the yardage suggests. The fairway narrows at the landing area, with trees lining both sides. The approach shot is to an elevated green with bunkers short and a steep drop-off long. Most players benefit from taking an extra club on the approach and aiming for the center of the green, regardless of pin position. Finishing with a par here feels like a birdie and provides a satisfying end to your round.

Managing the Hazards

The back nine features strategic bunkering that requires careful navigation. The sand traps are typically deeper than those on the front nine, with steeper faces that make recovery more challenging. When you do find yourself in a bunker, focus first on getting out safely rather than being overly aggressive.

Water comes into play on several holes, particularly 13 and 15. These water hazards are positioned to punish poorly executed shots rather than being forced carries, so strategic layups are often the percentage play. Having a clear strategy for these holes before you reach them can help prevent the mental errors that lead to penalty strokes.

Reading the Greens

The back nine greens at Burlingame have some unique characteristics. They typically run faster than the front nine, especially in afternoon rounds when they’ve dried out. Many have subtle ridges and plateaus that create multiple breaking points on longer putts.

One local tip: putts tend to break more toward the clubhouse than they appear. This is especially true on holes 16 through 18, where even seemingly straight putts can have unexpected movement. Spending extra time on the practice green before your round can help you adjust to their speed and break patterns.

Weather Considerations

The back nine at Burlingame is more exposed to wind than the front, particularly on the elevated holes. Afternoon winds can significantly affect ball flight, often strengthening as the day progresses. Morning rounds typically offer calmer conditions and more consistent green speeds.

Temperature changes can also affect how the ball travels. In cooler morning rounds, expect less distance, while afternoon heat can add yards to your shots. Adjusting your club selection accordingly can help you maintain consistency throughout your round.

Take Your Game to the Next Level at Burlingame

Ready to test your skills on our challenging back nine? Book your tee time today and put these strategies into practice. Our professional staff is always available for lessons focused specifically on mastering these challenging holes.

Call us at (650) 558-7800 to reserve your spot or inquire about our special twilight rates for back nine play. Your next great golf memory is waiting to be made at Burlingame.