Burning Tree Club

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 variety in the form of bunker and green complexes, which have been renovated in recent years by Gil Hanse.