Initially I was going to use AI to write a nice summary about the Clare Golf Club, but given I am a member there (and a sponsor), i thought it would only be fitting to talk about it from personal experience.
So let’s go for a walk. Hopefully a really good one.
When you talk to people about the Clare Golf Club, they will most likely be chuffed that there are no bunkers, and will be pleased with a regional course that is all greens, and is beautifully maintained. And just about everyone will have something to say about the 7th par 3 – it is on the list of the best holes in Australia.
So here are some insights on how to enjoy and play this course.
This is as local guide as it is ever going to get. I am an average occasional golfer, I have crappy shots, good shots, and regularly work on improving my swearing. I will be using red tees for most references, as I am most accustomed to playing from there. Do what you will with my insights.
1st hole – Par 5 – just go straight, keep it on the fairway. Closer to the green – if in doubt keep it shorter, as there is a small slope at the back and left.
2nd hole – Par 5 from reds, Par 4 from whites and blues – keep it on the fairway, but if you hit the right side of the fairway, there will be more run in dry season, and if you are going to miss off the tee, miss it on the right. Left has lower trees and way more of them. Same as the 1st one – green is elevated and has reasonable slopes at the back and sides that have very little nice surface to play off.
3rd hole – Par 4 – this one depends on how you like to play. The fairway slopes from left to right. So normal instinct is to start it on the left. But if you want nice an easy stance for the second shot, just off the fairway on the right hand side will give you an easier second shot. Closer to the green, left side is safe, right can roll off the green quite easily. If in doubt, start it a bit left. Also the green has a ridge through it that may not be super visible. Keep an eye out for it.
4th hole – Par 4 – Pretty views, best option is to land your tee shot well after the top of the hill on the right side – a lot more run there. Second shot is often played by managing the right to left slope on the right side of the green to help to let it roll on. The second shot will probably play a lot shorter than you think, and the slope at the back of the green will be wild. So choose clubs accordingly.
5th hole – Par 4 – slicers beware – OOB on the right. Aim anywhere left of the dead tree and let the ball roll. There is some significant roll away from the green on all sides. The back of the green is very steep big downhill, and right side is steep and close OOB.
6th hole – Par 4 – first shot will be important. It is an uphill dogleg right. You will need to hit about 160-170 m uphill to reach the turn. If you cannot reliably do that, aim a bit left – that will open it up for the second shot, and if you are lucky enough, you can go for the green in the second shot. If you stay on the right, you will have to decide to lay up or play through the trees (and we all know how that can end). The green on the 6th is a lot faster and more sloping than any other green on the course. Pay attention to the slope – it will tricky you more than expected.
7th hole – Par 3 – it is the Wow hole. 120ish meters to the pin. Plays about 20-30m shorter. Enjoy. (also, this is a good play through hole – most locals have multiple groups tee off at the same time, and then you walk down the track). If you want a good photo, use the tee block that is on the bend of the track – it sits lower and you can get a good group selfie of people and the green behind you.
8th hole– Par 4 from reds, par 5 from whites and blues (i think) – long hole, for most players of reds it is 3 shots to the green. Don’t stress, low index is helpful. The green has multiple slopes. The whole can be a bit tight for players with significant draw or fade, especially from back tees.
9th hole– Par 3 – fab little hole, nothing particularly tricky other than trees on both sides. It is facing the club house, so pick your club wisely.
Here you grab a drink at the club, and chat with team and volunteers. Everyone is super friendly here!
10th hole – Par 4 – whatever you do, stay away from the oak tree on the right. Good aim is the ridge on the far left of the fairway. Go for that (or if you can drive the green, aiming over the tree can work, i will probably never know what is like). There is a lake on the right side near the green, so not getting into it is a good idea, same is the creek at the back of the green. Just stay on the green. This green is pretty straight forward, with some gentle slope.
11th hole – Par 4 – Those who go right, will need to not go right. A good spot to land is the far end of the hill on the left side of the fairway. Close to the trees but not on the trees. This will give you some extra run, but if you go too far left, you will have trees in the way. Coming closer to the green you have OOB on the right along the fairway. The green has a roll off risk on the left side, and two levels, so when teeing off from 10th, it is a good thing to check where the pin is on the 11th.
12th hole – Par 3 – seems easy, but can be a bit of a pain – in winter it feels unreachable, and in summer your ball can roll to the back of the green and into the creek. Choose clubs wisely, play straight and stay out of the trees and creek.
13th hole – Par 5 – long right to left hole, with significant trees on both sides, and creek along left side. First shot – aim for the right side of the fairway around the bend. This will open it up for the second shot. From there you will see the willow trees that may be a consideration for 2nd-3rd shots. There is also a creek between those willows. Some parts of it are completely playable, but the more left you go, the worse it gets. So again, fairways may not always be overrated. After the willows, the left side is OOB, so right side can be good option for safe play. The green has small hill stopper at the back, but if you run over it, it can be hard to come back, depending on pin placement. And also keep in mind the right run off risk that may be hard to see form the fairway.
14th hole – Par 4 – this hole does my head in every time. Should be easy, but it rarely is. Fairly tight with trees, green slopes right from the middle, and it just feels like it should be Par 3.5. Good luck.
15th hole – Par 4 – Ok friend, you don’t want to end up on the hill. Snakes and hazards. So let’s just pop it in the middle of the fairway close to the bend or after. From there the safe approach is left side of the green (everything will run right).
16th hole – Par 4 – everyone’s favourite hole (just kidding). This whole can make you question your love to golf. Having been carved into rock face, the fairway is hard, and the ball goes a lot more right than you would expect. You can only play this hole well if you plan it well. Keep in mind it goes right about 70m before the hole, so you want to make sure you don’t need to wrangle the trees on the corner. Ideal play – left side of fairway that is then open for the second shot towards the hole. But if you ended up on the right side, on fairway or in the rough, aim for the middle or far end of the corner to open up the opportunities for the next shot. Best of luck. Many of us have played the 16th from the 4th fairway.
17th hole – Par 4 – Over the hill and to the right. Ideally you want to land on top middle or just after and roll down. There is a an OOB on the left side if you hit long, and heaps of trees on the right, regardless of how long you hit. I play about 160m shot (from reds) and it usually ends up well (same line from blues would need to be about 200m). Then from there it is down hill that can be very fast in summer. The green slopes a bit right to left and is slightly uphill, with a bit of a slope at the back if you hit long. Don’t recommend that.
18th hole – Par 5 – long way home. OOB on the left side along the way. Long straight fairway, with a significant creek that you will need to consider before the green. When approaching the green, stay on the left (but beware of OOB), as anything on the right will roll off and you will need a lob wedge to get onto the green. The green itself has some slope left to right and feels terrifying when you are playing for that last 1 point for the round.
Overall, great course, member owned and run, and should be truly appreciated.
You don’t usually have to book a time unless it is a Saturday, you can rock up and play even when clubhouse is not attended.
