Paisley

Paisley Golf Club is one of the finer golfing venues in and around Glasgow, and thanks to its elevation, you can see Scotland’s most populous city in the distance. 

The course, which is a mixture of parkland and heathland, sits more than 200 metres above sea level, providing great views of Ben Lomond as well. 

It is a lengthy track, pushing up to 6,500 yards from the tips, but there are scoring opportunities throughout a round. 

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The idea of Paisley Golf Club dates back to 1894, with the original 9-hole golf course being opened in May of the following year. 

The original course was laid out on Bushes Farm, but in the 1940s, following the Second World War, the club was informed by the council that the land was required for a housing development. 

Paisley Golf Club made the move to its current location at Gleniffer Braes in the early 1950s, with Philip MacKenzie Ross – who also has the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry as part of his portfolio – designed the 18-hole layout that is played to this day.

Paisley is a great mix of parkland and heathland, and one of the best courses in and around the city of Glasgow. It is also elevated, with most of the course sitting at more than 200 metres above sea level. That elevation offers up marvellous views over Paisley and to Glasgow, with Ben Lomond also in view to the north of the course. From the tips, Paisley runs out to almost 6,500 yards, playing as a par 71, with a trio of par 3s coming in the final six holes. 

It is a tough opening stretch to get you on your way at Paisley. The first is a 400-yard par 4 which turns right around the driving range. That means that anything that flies right off the tee will be running the risk of going OOB – not what you want off the opening tee shot. If you keep it in play and get to the corner, you will still have a lengthy approach into the first green. The Gleniffer Burn makes its first appearance on the 2nd, with the tee shot being played over it. OOB runs down the right once more, while there are three bunkers guarding the green. The 3rd is the only par 5 on the front nine, pushing the 500-yard mark. Thick trees and OOB run down the right, with a fairway bunker also in play on that side. The Gleniffer Burn runs across this hole, just 40 yards from the green, making you decide on whether to lay up or go for the green. 

A quartet of par 4s take you through the middle part of the front nine. The 4th, 5th and 6th are all in excess of 380 yards from the tips, with the former moving slightly from right to left around the trees. Again, anything right will be OOB off the tee, while the green is protected by two bunkers in front of it. A burn runs down the left side of the 5th fairway, with the Gleniffer back in play in front of the putting surface. The 6th has one of the trickier tee shots on the course. It looks like a wide fairway, but the large bunker on the inside corner of this dog-leg left make it much narrower than on first look. 7 is also a narrow driving hole as well. However, at just 340 yards, driver might not be needed on this shorter par 4. A pair of bunkers sit in front of the putting surface. 

The first of the par 3s comes at the 8th. It is 185 yards from the back tees, and features three bunkers guarding the green. The 9th is the only par 4 on the front side that is more than 400 yards, and it takes you back to the clubhouse. There is a wide fairway to attack, and the further down your drive gets the better, as it is a tough approach shot into this green. The back nine then begins with the Stroke Index 1 at Paisley, and another 400+ yard par 4. It is a narrow tee shot, with the hole moving from left to right. Two small cross bunkers sit in front of the green for protection. 

11 is a short par 4 that bends round to the left, and at just 325 yards, it is one that can definitely be seen as a birdie chance. The 12th is a 510-yard par 5 with a tricky tee shot from the back tees, as they are on an angle compared to the fairway. The Gleniffer Burn returns, running across in front of the green to make it a difficult decision if you’ve hit a good drive. The closing stretch at Paisly features a trio of par 3s – at 13, 15 and 17. The former is 170 yards, and played to a green surrounded by three large traps. 15 is the longest of the par 3s at 200 yards, but there is space on either side, if you avoid the bunkers. The last of the 3s is the shortest hole on the property. The penultimate hole is only 160 yards and played through a funnel of trees to a green that is out in the open. Three bunkers guard the front of the putting surface. 

Dotted between those par 3s are the par 4 14th and par 5 16th. The former is the Stroke Index 3 at Paisley, thanks to a green that protected by trees on either side. 16 is the longest hole on the course at 540 yards. Like much of the front nine, anything right at any point runs the risk of going out of bounds, while the two fairway bunkers on the left side are there to swallow anything up. Three greenside traps are in play, whether it is your second or your third shot for your approach. The closing hole is the longest of the par 4s, coming in at 445 yards from the tips. It is a hole that moves slightly from right to left, and again, right is not the miss here. Three bunkers are by the green, just to add to the danger of the closing challenge at Paisley. 

Where is Paisley Golf Club located?

Paisley Golf Club sits to the southwest of Glasgow – Scotland's most populous city. The club is situated between Paisley and Barrhead, with the centre of Glasgow just 12 miles away via road. The club is located next to the Gleniffer Braes Country Park, while Glenburn Reservoir is within half a mile. The M77, which runs from Glasgow to Kilmarnock, is six miles from the club, providing good road links for those travelling from the south. 

Glasgow Airport, the second busiest international airport in Scotland, is just seven miles to the north of Paisley Golf Club, and the perfect landing spot for international visitors to the region. Barrhead Station, which sits on the train line that runs between Kilmarnock and Glasgow, is just a couple of miles from the venue, with those services running regularly. Trains also run south to Carlisle on a more infrequent basis.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

With Paisley being to the southwest of Glasgow, there are venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list that are within a short drive. Kilmacolm is 12 miles to the northwest, while some of Ayrshire’s best courses – including Dundonald Links, Western Gailes, Gailes Links, Prestwick and Royal Troon, with its Old Course and Portland Course – are all within 30 miles. 

What golf facilities does Paisley Golf Club offer?  

Along with the 18-hole layout, Paisley Golf Club has its own driving range, which is situated alongside the first hole. There are target greens and both matted and grass tees to play from. The club also has a pair of hitting nets, along with a putting green as well.

What are the green fees at Paisley Golf Club?  

The price of a green fee at Paisley Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

For more information on current green fees at Paisley, visit their website here.