About us
A little course with a big heart.
A refreshing alternative to the traditional five-hour round — welcoming, challenging, and memorable.
Tucked away beside the tranquil River Stour, Clare Park Lake Golf Course offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional five-hour round. This idyllic nine-hole par 3 course proves that golf doesn't need to take all day to be enjoyable, challenging, and memorable.
Beautifully designed around a peaceful, tree-lined lake, the course combines stunning scenery with a layout that rewards precision, creativity, and a sharp short game. At just over 1,200 yards it may be compact, but don't let the distance fool you — strategic shot placement and accuracy are key, with each hole offering its own unique test. It's the kind of course where every shot matters, and where even seasoned golfers can be kept on their toes.
Perfect for beginners, experienced golfers, families, and groups of friends alike, Clare Park Lake is all about accessible, relaxed golf without sacrificing the fun or challenge of the game. Whether you're squeezing in a quick round after work, introducing someone new to golf, or simply looking to sharpen your approach shots and putting, the course delivers an experience that is both welcoming and rewarding.
Apart from being only £14 a round, it's a place to enjoy the outdoors, share a few laughs, and spend quality time together. A round can be completed in around 90 minutes, making it ideal for modern life — when time is precious but the desire to get outside and play remains strong. Of course, it's an even better time if you're playing well.
We're not a members club. We're open to everyone, from absolute beginners taking their first swing, to seasoned players looking for a peaceful round on a beautiful afternoon. Family owned and run for 25 years, we keep things friendly, affordable and focused on what matters most — a great round of golf in a beautiful setting.
The whole experience is self-serve and intentionally simple. Book online, arrive when it suits you, and head to the first tee. That's it.
Since the 1950s
A course with a past.
Golf has been played beside the lake since the 1950s, when a colourful local gentleman, Mr Binns, carved the course out of worked-out gravel pits — the same diggings that supplied material for Second World War runway construction, and which left behind the five-acre lake the course wends its way around to this day. Mr Binns made it for his own enjoyment, living nearby in a house built around the fuselage of a plane from the James Stewart film No Highway in the Sky.
The course later passed to BP International, who used it purely for staff holidays. Many people in Clare didn't even know it existed — play was an honest £1 popped in an honesty box, and the pins hadn't been changed in five years.
In 1993 Susan Moore took over and opened the gates to everyone. Within weeks it was clear a short nine-hole course was far more popular than anyone expected — and the emphasis has never shifted back. Twenty-five years on, we're still family owned and run.
What we're about
Our brand of golf.
Natural
A working parkland setting beside the river Stour, alive with swans, lilies and old trees.
Welcoming
Open to everyone. Visitors, families, beginners and old hands alike. No membership required.
Relaxed
No queues, no fuss. Show up at your tee time and play at your own pace.
Enjoyable
Just the right level of challenge — short, scenic, and brilliantly fun.
The Clare Park Lake Experience Principles
Seven promises we hold ourselves to.
The test for every future decision — whether we're designing a sign, adding an app feature, or choosing a vending machine.
- 01
Make it easy
We make getting on the course as simple as we can — short of swinging the club for you.
- 02
Self-serve, not self-important
Everything is set up so you can simply book, turn up and play. Help is available when you need it, but you won't be waiting on us to get started.
- 03
Technology with purpose
We embrace technology only when it genuinely improves the visitor experience. Never technology for technology's sake.
- 04
Designed for everyone
From first-time golfers to lifelong players, every experience should be intuitive and welcoming.
- 05
Always open to play
Our systems allow visitors to enjoy the course with as few restrictions as possible while protecting the course and respecting other players.
- 06
Celebrate Clare
The golf course is part of the town, not separate from it. Every visit should encourage people to discover more of Clare.
- 07
Keep improving
We're never finished. We constantly look for ways to make every visit a little easier, a little friendlier and a little more enjoyable.
Come and play.
The swans are waiting, and the first tee is yours.