Location » Fairfax Station, Va.
Phone » 703-323-1641
Fees » $25 Weekend; $21 Weekday
Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
54/2843/50.0/113
Conditions » 4
Layout » 2
Facilities » 3
Value » 4
* Out of a possible five golf balls
Description » Although there’s not much competition, this is the best par 3 course in the Washington area. The 42-year-old Fairfax County Park Authority municipal course is set on scenic, lightly wooded, rolling land in Burke Lake Park.
Reasons to play » For a quick nine or 18 on a course that is well-maintained for a heavily trafficked par 3. Excellent for walkers, beginners, seniors, and children. Lighted driving range comes with a bonus: Every bucket will contain at least one Titleist Pro V1, courtesy of hole No. 1 which runs parallel to the range.
| Signature hole |
| No. 2, par 3, 177 yards |
| Attractive downhill tee shot to a sloped green guarded on left by trees and on right by water. Willow trees and a fountain add to the allure. The lake is full of geese, so watch your step. |
Designers » Leon Howard and Dave Bennett built Burke Lake. Among the 60-plus courses designed by Howard is Greendale, an 18-hole, regulation-length municipal course in Alexandria with many of the same 1970s-era signatures. Both of the courses remain virtually unchanged from when they opened.
Historic perspective » Burke Lake Park was established in the early 1960s in response to demands by Fairfax County citizens for a public fishing lake and conservation area. Potomac tributary South Run was dammed and the lake was stocked with fish for opening day on May 25, 1963.
Toughest hole
No. 16, par 3, 202 yards
Mature trees line several holes, which is a good thing from an aesthetic standpoint, but bad for players, who have to shape shots over, under and around the excessive flora. The worst example is at No. 16, the longest hole at Burke Lake, made tougher by a large tree that obscures the right side of the green.
Best hole
No. 3, par 3, 200 yards
This hole begins the best stretch at Burke Lake. Four parallel holes on the highest part of the property are tree-lined. No. 3 is an uphill shot to a green that is small in front, but shaped like a saddle, funneling anything that hits the green to the center.
Road hole
No. 14, par 3, 192 yards
Route 123 is in play for slicers on this long, downhill hole, which requires a precise shot threaded through big trees standing guard well down the fairway.
