Cochrane Castle is the Johnstone club where some Scottish notables such as Barclay Howard, Dean Robertson and John Caven all started out. It must be good, so you would think. And it is! The 1st is quite difficult for openers, a par three of around 156 yards. The 3rd is also a challenge at 440 yards, playing over a burn with out-of-bounds on the left.

The 5th is 470 yards; partly uphill with a tight tee shot due to bunkers and a copse of trees on the left. Playing over the burn, it is decision time - whether to lay up or hazard a long iron. Cochrane's greens are known for their superb quality; they are generally quite small, although there are a couple that remind you of the Masters at Augusta National, full-sized and fiery.

Aesthetically, the course offers reasonable views over to Dumbarton and the Campsie hills from the 8th tee, while the 9th tee looks over Johnstone. The clubhouse is friendly with exceptionally good catering.