Paisley - Renfrewshire - Scotland

5th Renfrewshire - Best in Area
Paisley Golf Club,
Braehead Road,
Paisley,
Renfrewshire,
PA2 8TZ,
Scotland

  • +44 (0) 141 884 4114

In 1895, the founding members of Paisley Golf Club laid out a rather basic course on a 40-acre site that had previously been used for grazing on the Bushes Farm, to the south of the town. For half a century, golfers were apparently content to play on this small, somewhat cramped 9-hole layout until just after World War II, when the local authorities decided to build houses on the property.

A new location for the club was identified on higher ground at Gleniffer Braes and the architect chosen to set out the fairways on this moorland tract was Philip Mackenzie Ross, who had just completed the new course at Southerness and the reconstruction of the Ailsa at Turnberry. Built by John Hamilton Stutt, who constructed many of James Braid’s courses, Paisley’s 18-hole layout was opened just in time for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The course is cleverly routed, with both nines rising up the braes from the clubhouse, only to return back down again at the par four 9th and 18th. Feature holes here include testing par fives at holes 3 and 12 and tempting short par fours at holes 7 and 11, whilst the heroic 200-yard 15th (“Silver Tassie”) is a sensational downhill par three that’s alone worth paying the green fee. And with a standard scratch score of one stroke over the par, Paisley’s more than capable of offering a decent test of golf.
If the above article is inaccurate, please let us know by clicking here

Write a review

Reviews for Paisley

Average Reviewers Score:
Description: Sixty years after the club was formed, members of Paisley Golf Club moved in 1953 to a Philip Mackenzie Ross-designed course on top of Gleniffer Braes, to the south of Paisley. Rating: 7.3 out of 10 Reviews: 3
TaylorMade
DOUGLAS CHALMERS
I play every course in Renfrewshire every year and yet again Paisley Bushes proves to be the very best. Always liked it but clearly a lot of time and money has been invested in the course upkeep, the condition last night was fantastic. On a clear day the views are magnificent. It is a challenge, the first hole, a par 4 starts as it means to go on. The par 5 3rd and the par 4 4th mean its an achievement to get to th 5th tee with your score intact. The 5th is a beautiful golf hole as are the 9th and the 15th due to the brilliant views. Great test of golf, great setting and very well maintained.
May 22, 2014
10 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful

Response
Jim Robertson
I can only endorse wholeheartedly the view of my friend Jim McCann. Paisley is indeed one of Scotland's 'hidden gems'. Even the journey to reach it has a charm all of its own - the course sits on top of a very steep hill which provides splendid views from many holes. This is classic moorland golf but with more undulations than are often found on such courses. There are several excellent holes, my own favourite being the par 5 12th. Like every course there are some weaknesses - I don't care for the 4th- and the finish lacks a wow factor but overall Paisley is a fine, challenging layout. I agree with Jim that this is a definite 4 ball course.
May 22, 2012
6 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful

Response
Jim McCann

I played here for the first time last August and really enjoyed the course. Returning just the other day, I liked it even more as it reaffirmed what I’d thought the first time: this is a track with definite Scottish Top 100 potential.

It’s not too long at just under 6,500 yards from the back tees but a SSS of 72 versus a par of 71 tells you it’s no pushover. What I like most is the course’s routing. Philip Mackenzie Ross knew a thing or two about golf course design – laying out both the Ailsa and Southerness about the same time as Paisley – and his two loops of nine fit the difficult landscape on the braes perfectly.

The par fives at the 3rd and 12th are wonderful 3 shotters whilst the plunging par four 5th and short, doglegged par four 11th are both terrific holes. “Silver Tassie,” the 200-yard downhill 15th has to be one of the best par threes in Scottish golf - if only the closing three holes that follow were a little bit more exciting this would elevate the course up another notch again.

Nonetheless, this is a strong 4-ball track that deserves recognition as one of the more solid member club courses in Renfrewshire.

Jim McCann

May 21, 2012
6 / 10
Reviewer Score:
TaylorMade

Respond to above review
  Was this review helpful?
0 people found this review helpful

Response