Clare Park Lake & Golf Course

Clare Park Lake Golf Course is a par 3 9 hole parkland course that meanders around a beautiful lake beside the River Stour on the outskirts of the picturesque small market town of Clare.

It might be small but there is something to offer and challenge all levels of golfing ability whether old or young, beginner or pro.

It is perfect for anyone starting out or just not  having 4 or  5 hours to play a round. On average it will take you less than 1 ½ hours to play 9 holes here.

If you are new to the game, you will be made to feel welcome, given general etiquette, course care and safety information: remember we all had to start somewhere. 

You will find a warm welcome in the new Colonial Style clubhouse that provides a comfortable and congenial setting to relax both before and after your game.

There is a fully licensed bar, all day snacks, changing rooms with showers and visitors are welcome whether playing or not.

• Course has: Bar
• Course does not have: Buggy Hire
• Course does not have: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course does not have: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 1 out of 5 Wasted my time! 10 September 2014

  By Stu W

  The course may be great and it has obviously got a very loyal clique but we recently travelled from Ipswich because their 'write up' on the internet which certainly made it sound great only to find they don't accept debit/credit cards! The reason given was 'we've never had one' which is ridiculous in this day an age. We were then told, dismissively, "you can get cash at the co-op", as if we would know where that was! They need to get up to date or at least point out that it's cash only on their site!

• 4.5 out of 5 Cracking Course 16 April 2013

  By Anonymous

   Not quite sure who "Mcslice" thinks he is, by the sounds of it he and his son will have been invited to Augusta by now anyway and we're blessed to be rid of him. This is a marvellous little course, with a short yardage but not lacking in challenges!  I've grown up playing at this course with my grandparents and it provided a perfect environment in which to learn, with friendly members and a relaxed atmosphere geared to making everyone feel welcome and getting as many people playing golf as possible. Set in beautiful surroundings and very well kept by the groundstaff there, it is a brilliant place to hone your skills (particularly with the irons). If you want to come and blast the driver and hit anything over 230 yds then I wouldn't recommend it, but if you can control yourself until your next visit to the driving range then this is the place to come! Cannot recommend it more. Also, try the Cheese and Ham toasties.     #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }  

• 3.5 out of 5 Much more than a pitch and putt 08 April 2013

  By Anonymous

   This isn't a course for a low handicapped golfer. It's a quiet, relaxed, fun, interesting, well set out nine hole golf course. It makes good use of the land and the water, and work is continually being done on the course by the greenkeeper. It is somewhere to go and relax and enjoy a social time. You would choose to go here for the warm welcome (Karen is such a star!) My husband is a good golfer and I am a beginner - this course has proved an ideal place to improve my game on a course that is more than a pitch and putt. We have been twice now and intend to go back every year. I don't really understand the review from the person who took offense at the question of whether they had a full set of clubs - they can't see through walls and it seems a perfectly normal question to ask to me. If you want to play at a scratchy sort of club that lets anybody play and don't insist on the proper footwear and clubs, then this isn't the place for you. I think it's great credit to the club that they DO insist on high standards. In fact, while we were there a father and young son and asked if they could play - the son hadn't played before; they were very politely advised that it wasn't the club for them and were given directions to a nearby pitch and putt. Many thanks again to Karen for making our 3 day break there such fun.  

• 4.5 out of 5 An absolute gem!! 01 March 2010

  By greensinreg

   Everyone is entitled to their own opinion... indeed we don't all read the same newspapers or watch the same films... but sometimes the views of others seem to represent a completely different place or experience... I refer to Mcslice here... I have played numerous rounds at Clare Park at various times throughout the year and have enjoyed every one.  There is clearly a level of care and attention to detail seldom seen at any course. There is something to offer and challenge all levels of golfing ability out on the course, matched by the warm welcome and excellent tea and homemade cakes in the splendid clubhouse. I have a handicap of 10 and my 15 year old son is a county player with 4 years of national competitive golf experience and he loves it at Clare. In a nutshell, Clare Park is well worth visiting and playing, offering great value and character with every shot.

• 5 out of 5 A Perfect Place for a Quick Round 28 February 2010

  By ms3bn

  Golf course snobbery is a terrible quality McSlice! Having been to Clare a number of times over the past few years I've seen this course evolve and provide both young and old, beginner and even pro! with a variety of challenges and more importantly a very relaxed and enjoyable place to play golf. Clare is the perfect course for anyone starting out or just not wanting golf to take 5 hours of their weekend. The surroundings are beautiful, the course is extremely  well cared, and the staff very welcoming and attentive. So if you are looking for a "typical" course then no this isn't the one you are looking for. If however you are looking for an enjoyable round of golf in Suffolk, that doesn't take forever to play, gives you some challenging short game practice and leaves you smiling afterwards then this is the place to go.

• 5 out of 5 My Favourite Place 11 December 2009

  By Eleanor

  After reading McSlice comments on Clare Park Lake, I also had a LOL. How sad can that man be to make such hurtfull remarks about a wonderful club. As for the comments regarding the Club House as a shack, I could not believe what I was reading. I have been a member of CPL for 16 years, I have enjoyed every minute of my golf at this club. Year in year the owners and groundstaff work very hard to make our golf enjoyable. I cannot praise CPL and its members enough.All I can say McSlice you must lead a very sad life, when all you think about is LOL at other peoples expense. How members at your club must LOL at you,not with you. I have played at many golf clubs throughout England & Scotland, ie.Brocket Hall, and there is no way that any person within the Clubhouse would know what golf bag you were using. I thought it was standard practice to ask visitors if they had their own clubs, as they are willing to loan (at a small price) a bag & clubs, as it is not permissable on any golf course to share clubs or bags. Golf can do without biggerted players like yourself. Well done CPL for making my golf so enjoyable.(LOL-how sad are you) One very happy female. Eleanor.  

• 1 out of 5 LOL "Golf Course" LOL 22 March 2009

  By McSlice

  Visited this course last year while visiting relatives in the area.  Very friendly people at this club. Unfortunately the course has a slight identity crisis as it is caught between a tiny 9 hole and a pitch and putt with the emphasis leaning heavily toward pitch and putt. LOL Recently visited relatives again so decided to take my 10 year old son (plays off 32 on a 7000 yard championship course) for a knock.  Firstly I found out they have no concession rate for junior golfers, fine not a problem.  Then got informed in a very snooty way "you need your own set of clubs to play".  They obviously missed my tour bag and my sons bag outside as your not allowed to bring them in the shack.  I can live with that, but when they tried to tell us "this is not a pitch and putt" well, sorry, we had to leave.  It was at this point we noticed the putting green ha ha ha LOL ha ha ha LOL.  I would love to see the championship T's ha ha LOL ha ha LOL. The term "you need your own set of clubs to play" always raises a chuckle on the 1st T. "This is not a pitch and putt" is now a standing joke on the 480 yard par 4 si 1 on our home course.  If nothing else, thanks for the entertainment value.  Will probably visit next year to get some more little gems!!!!!