Courtesy of the Burning Tree Club
Burning Tree Club
Burning Tree Club
8600 Burdette Rd
Bethesda, MD 20817-2899
United States
Overview
Burning Tree is one of golf’s most exclusive jaunts. The club remains all-male—the story goes that a foursome of golfers fed up with slow play by a female group at Chevy Chase founded their own men’s-only club, and it’s remained that way. It’s an enclave of politicians past and present—with a former member list that includes presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush. There are no tables in the grill room—just long benches where you sit next to other members and their guests, regardless of political affiliation. The golf course is unique, too, boasting a C.H. Alison routing that includes some fun variety, despite all but one hole doglegging left to right. Alison produced a variety in the form of bunker and green complexes, which have been renovated in recent years by Gil Hanse.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2019-'26. Ranked inside the top 5, 1987-'91. Ranked sixth, 2013-'14. Ranked seventh, 2017-'18. Ranked eighth, 2015-'16. Ranked ninth, 2011-'12. Ranked inside the top 10, 1993-'97. Ranked inside the top 15, 2001-'10.
2025-'26 ranking (and previous): 4th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Burning Tree Club is a very good, but not great golf course. The club atmosphere however is world class and is a must play for anyone extended the invitation. The Alison design has its moments - the stretches of holes at #4-#6, #10-#12, and #15-#18 are all very strong and offset some more pedestrian parts of the course (i.e. #1-#3). Shot options are good, but golf at Burning Tree is largely an aerial game given the number of fronting bunkers and/or false fronts. The greens are the strength of the course and the superb conditioning highlights their best traits. Despite the course being significantly better than average, the best part of the experience is before or after the round at the communal dining tables or the bar where sitting together and interacting with other members and guests is highly encouraged."
Read More2025
Review
“CH. Alison design that is fun to play and in great condition. The course also receives high character ratings. Layout variety is also very appealing."
Read More2025
Review
“Burning Tree, post-Hanse, has tremendous subtleties and thoughtful strategy from tee to green. There was a subtle ridge on the right edge of the 10th green that provided some resistance to imprecise efforts to play the slope, thereby creating a risk-reward. The course has so many fun and varied layouts, like the great 7th with the creek (and a seemingly unnecessary second fairway) and the left-to-right sloping short 13th. One knock on variety is that all but one dogleg hole is left-to-right. Overall, there remains so much variety and challenge within the variety, like the landing area for the layup on 16. The course would be relatively easy for very strong players from the typical member tees. The character of the club is exceptional and intimate. The all-male component is passe, but the camaraderie (e.g., shared banquet tables only in the grill, caricatures of members of 10+ years) and the presidential history are remarkable"
Read More2022
Review
“The speed and challenge of green complexes is world class however the overall layout, shot options and tee to green challenge leaves something to be desired. It is presented with utmost clarity that golf is the sole purpose at this venue."
Read More2020
Review
“Ambience is off the charts. One of the few men's clubs left. The course is stunning in the spring."
Read More2018
Review
“As good as a one day golf experience as you will have. A very solid MacKenize golf course, but the course is not the star of the experience. If you get an invite clear the calendar."
Read More2018
