Golf course review: Clarks Beach Golf Club’s 16th hole gains fame for unexpected encounter

An image posted to Facebook's Clarks Beach and Waiau Pā Grapevine on November 12 showed a couple apparently having sex on a fairway at the Clarks Beach Golf course.

Last month, Clarks Beach Golf Club in South Auckland made headlines for an unusual reason: two people were caught in flagrante delicto on the 16th hole, much to the surprise of an evening jogger. Naturally, we had to investigate. What about this course might inspire such enthusiasm? Beyond the usual allure of the birds and bees, of course.

After the story broke, the club acknowledged it happened but declined to share details. In a lighthearted social media post, they said the attention had “certainly put our golf club on the map”. Intrigued, we headed down hopeful to extract some more details.

Located about an hour southwest of central Auckland, the drive winds past farms and through small, sleepy towns dotted with a few houses and the odd petrol station. The remoteness of the course adds to its charm. Located within the Manukau Harbour at the mouth of the Waiuku River, it’s peaceful – a refreshing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. However, signs of growth are all around, with a new subdivision and the occasional clang of construction from the nearby wastewater treatment plant upgrade.

Herald reporter Will Toogood tees off on the 14th hole at Clarks Beach Golf Course. Photo / Luke Kirkness

The course is compact, around 5000m off the white tees, making it short but far from simple. Its tree-lined fairways, gently rolling hills and stunning harbour views are inviting, but don’t be fooled – easy walking doesn’t translate to easy golf here (the club’s website warns you as much). Still, on a fine day like ours last Tuesday with the sun streaming and a light breeze at our backs, there are plenty of opportunities to score low, especially considering the many short par-fours and par-fives.

As mid-to-high handicappers, we were challenged at times – especially on tricky par-threes like the 96m fifth hole. However, things started to click on the back nine, where the course seemed to open up a bit and invite more aggressive play. Hole 15 was a highlight. A short, straightforward par-four at just 267m, it gently doglegs to the left toward a narrow green guarded by two bunkers. Despite its deceptive simplicity, we managed to walk away with a couple of bogeys. A win in our books.

Then came the infamous 16th. At 160m, it’s the longest par-three on the course, with an elevated green we imagine is tricky to stick if the wind picks up. The green slopes away on either side, adding to the challenge. Still, it’s a lovely hole – perhaps a bit too lovely. Did our amorous couple’s passion come from nailing a perfect tee shot? A birdie opportunity? A hole-in-one? We’ll never know. What we do know is they chose a very exposed spot for their escapade – right under a cluster of trees to the left of the tee, as confirmed in photos taken by the startled jogger.

Herald reporter Will Toogood inspects the location where two people were caught in a brazen act at Clarks Beach Golf Course. Photo / Luke Kirkness

The runner, who later shared her story with the Herald, said she stumbled upon the couple while out for an evening jog. Judging by her description, she must have approached from the green side of the hole, where a path winds down the hill shielded from view where the couple were making love. The pair might have thought they were out of sight, but they were wrong. For their part, they were playing late – after 7pm – so it’s plausible they assumed the course was empty. Or perhaps, emboldened by previous great golf, they simply didn’t care.

It’s understood the couple were not locals but course members. If that’s to be believed, you would think they would be aware of the dangers of such an exposed location. While hole 16 might have been their stage, there are plenty of more discreet nooks for those inclined towards extracurricular activities. Whether they preferred the thrill of being seen or simply couldn’t wait remains a mystery.

The location of the brazen act two people engaged in at Clarks Beach Golf Course beneath the 16th tee box. Photo / Luke Kirkness

As for the locals, the mood was lighthearted. Fellow golfers were polite but tight-lipped about the incident, and a young man working the bar told us the story had drawn plenty of curious visitors to the club. Google search data backs him up – interest in Clarks Beach Golf Club spiked around the time the story went public. Call it a PR stroke of genius, intentional or not.

All things considered, the runner’s unexpected sighting is not something you’d expect on a quiet golf course. But the whole episode seems to have been taken in stride as a harmless, if eyebrow-raising, moment. If you’re heading to Clarks Beach, rest assured: the course is a gem. Just keep an eye out on the 16th hole, especially after hours.

Luke Kirkness is the Sports Planning Editor for the NZ Herald. He’s an award-winning journalist who also covered consumer affairs for the Herald and served as an assistant news director.