Every bunker on the Old Course has its own personality?

The Old Course at St Andrews features more than 100 bunkers, many of which have names that have survived for centuries. Famous hazards such as Hell, Coffins, Principal’s Nose, Beardies, Strath, and Cartgate are instantly recognizable to golfers around the world. Their names often reflect their shape, location, local history, or the misery they have inflicted on generations of players.

Unlike many modern golf courses, these bunkers were not designed simply to punish poor shots—they are integral to the strategy of each hole. Some sit exactly where the ideal drive should finish, forcing golfers to choose between risk and reward, while others are so deep that escaping in a single stroke can be a challenge. Many of the bunkers remain remarkably unchanged from centuries ago, meaning today’s golfers face many of the same hazards that tested Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Learning the names and stories of these legendary bunkers has become part of the St Andrews experience, giving each one a unique character and place in golf history.