Paradise Island Golf

I'd been quite lucky for a long time, Angus hadn't spotted Paradise Island Golf in Soar, Braehead.  Then he did and I decided to treat him to some Big Brother-Mum alone time as a treat.

Whilst Gran cuddled Douglas, we went for it one rainy Wednesday afternoon (term time).  It was very quiet, there were perhaps two or three other groups on our course (which meant that Angus could have several goes on the exciting holes and not hold anyone up or get in the way).  There are two courses to choose from: the Tiki Hut Trail (I've done this one a few times before) or Maggie McCaw's Challenge.  I don't think there's any difference in difficulty or interest and Angus chose the latter.

There is a good range of clubs to choose from and Angus, who is on the shorter side (95cm), took the smallest, purple putter.  A couple of the 18 holes were a little less interesting (and repetitive) than others but that doesn't bother a three year old.  He especially enjoyed finding the next number hole and the holes where the ball goes down a gulf, along a tunnel and out.  The course is very well maintained and it was hard to enough to be a challenge for me but easy enough for Angus to manage each hole in less than 8 shots.  He did get a hole in one too.  The booming voices from the tiki huts and talking totem pole were amusing rather than frightening for him.  It took us between 45 minutes and one hour to complete one course.  I don't think I would do both courses in one session.

Overall it was really good fun and brilliant for a rainy day.  We had a great, relaxed time together with lots of laughs.  This session cost £8 as under 5s are free between 12-5pm, weekdays during term-time.  There is also a VoucherCloud offer of two play for £10 any time except all day Saturday and before 5pm Sunday.  So it's not the cheapest activity but not bad for a treat.

We didn't use the toilets, so I can't comment on them or the baby change.  You definitely couldn't take a buggy around.  I think the youngest age for this activity would be two and a half but that might be stretching it.  He got more out of it because it wasn't beyond his capabilities (at three years and five months).

Obviously the free car parking at Soar is plentiful and easy.  We had lunch beforehand at Wetherspoons which was cheap and cheerful and quite healthy as Angus had cheesy pasta with veg, apple slices and a glass of milk (don't forget they do bottomless coffee too!).