Paisley

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.