Burning Tree at Burning Tree Club

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.