Clearwater Golf Club
Clearwater opened near Christchurch in 2002, a John Darby design shaped in consultation with Sir Bob Charles that runs among spring fed lakes and wetlands. A par 72 stretching to 7,137 yards, it has hosted the New Zealand Open and the NZPGA Championship.
Photo: Clearwater Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Clearwater is the headline course of Canterbury, built in 2002 on the flat, watery land just north of Christchurch and designed by John Darby with input from New Zealand's own major champion, Sir Bob Charles. It has been a tournament regular ever since, with a long list of New Zealand Opens, NZPGA Championships and Women's Opens on its record.
Water is everywhere, the course threading between spring fed lakes and restored wetlands alive with birdlife, and at 7,137 yards from the black tees it has the length to test the professionals while offering five sets of tees for everyone else. It is the most convenient world class round on the South Island, ten minutes from the airport, and a natural first or last stop on a New Zealand golf tour.
Clearwater Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 2002
- Designer
- John Darby with Sir Bob Charles
- Type
- Parkland and wetlands
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,137 yds (black tees)
- Green fee
- About NZ$175
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Clearwater Golf Club and leading course databases. John Darby designed the course in consultation with Sir Bob Charles and it opened in 2002, a par 72 of 7,137 yards from the black tees across five tee options. The indicative green fee of about NZ$175 reflects 2026 rates and varies by season and time of play; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Clearwater is defined by water and wind. The lakes and wetlands come into play on the majority of holes, demanding accurate, committed shots, while the open Canterbury plains let the prevailing nor'wester swirl across the course and change the calculation from one day to the next.
From the black tees at 7,137 yards it is a stern, modern test, but the five sets of tees mean it scales down sensibly for the travelling golfer. The greens are large and contoured, the bunkering is strategic rather than penal, and the smartest line often means flirting with the water for a better angle in.
The closing holes bring water into sharp focus, with approaches that must carry the wetlands to reach the green. It is a finish that has decided New Zealand Opens, and it gives the visiting golfer a genuine tournament test within sight of the Southern Alps.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course at Peppers Clearwater; visitors welcome, book tee times ahead |
| Green fee | Indicative green fee about NZ$175 for 18 holes (2026); varies by season and time of day |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in the November to March peak and around tournament weeks |
| On the day | Carts and clubs are available; come prepared for the Canterbury wind |
| Getting there | Just north of Christchurch at Northwood, about ten minutes from Christchurch Airport |
| Best months | October to April for the warm, long days of the New Zealand golf season |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates and policies change, so always confirm directly with the golf club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The on site Peppers Clearwater Resort puts you a short walk from the first tee, with villas and suites set among the lakes, and central Christchurch is a fifteen minute drive away with its full range of hotels, restaurants and the rebuilt city centre. Either base works well for a golf focused stay.
Clearwater is the obvious anchor for a Christchurch and South Island golf trip, easy to reach on arrival and a fine warm up before the drive south to the Queenstown courses. It is an ideal first stop on a New Zealand golf tour.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Clearwater Golf Club.
Build a New Zealand golf trip
We book the Clearwater tee times, pair them with the best of the South Island and arrange the lodging and transfers around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Clearwater Golf Club questions
Who designed Clearwater and when did it open?
Clearwater was designed by John Darby in consultation with Sir Bob Charles and opened in 2002, on the lake filled land just north of Christchurch.
What is the par and length of Clearwater?
Clearwater is a par 72 measuring 7,137 yards from the black tees, with five sets of tees and water in play on the majority of holes.
Has Clearwater hosted professional tournaments?
Yes. Clearwater has hosted multiple New Zealand Opens, NZPGA Championships and New Zealand Women's Opens since opening in 2002.
How much is a round at Clearwater?
The indicative green fee is about NZ$175 for 18 holes in 2026, varying by season and time of play. Always confirm current rates directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.