BURNING TREE CLUB
🇺🇸 Bethesda, MD, USA
Designed by Rich Mandell, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Burning Tree is, by design and tradition, one of the most deliberately understated and exclusive enclaves in American golf, known as much for who can’t get in as for the pedigree of its membership. Nestled amongst the rolling, wooded landscape of Bethesda, Maryland, its modest clubhouse belies the strategic challenges and quiet character of the course itself.
The routing, originally conceived by George Thomas in the early Golden Age, presents a classic parkland test. Fairways are generous but subtly contoured, demanding thoughtful positioning rather than brute length. The course favors a strategic approach, rewarding players who can shape shots and manage the nuanced slopes around the greens. While not hosting major championships, its demanding layout and discerning membership have fostered a culture of competitive, yet discreet, golf.
A later renovation by Robert Trent Jones Sr. sharpened the teeth of certain holes, reinforcing the course's reputation as a stern test. What truly distinguishes Burning Tree is its enduring commitment to privacy and its unique role in the social fabric of Washington D.C. – a place where power brokers have, for decades, conducted business and cultivated relationships on and off the fairways.
Reviews
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Burning Tree at Burning Tree Club has a Course Vaults score of 8.1 out of 10 based on 19 explicit golfer ratings.
Burning Tree was designed by Rich Mandell, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Robert Trent Jones, Jr..
Burning Tree at Burning Tree Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Burning Tree is 71.
Burning Tree plays 6,748 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Burning Tree is 131.