St Andrews Hole Names | Golf Monthly

The Old Course at St Andrews is one of the most storied of any, with iconic landmarks and legendary bunkers on its famously rolling fairways. Yet, the names given to each hole are almost as steeped in history as the world’s oldest course.

Some are merely one-word descriptions of the holes they represent, while others are named after giants of the game who left their indelible imprint on the course. Some are named after old traditions or landmarks that no longer exist, while for a few, time has rendered their meanings open to conjecture.

Hole 1 – Burn

The Old Course’s par 4 first hole is named after the Swilcan Burn that runs in front of the green. Even with a potential watery end for the ball, though, the hole tempts players with an expansive fairway that’s shared with the 18th. Beware, though – those using too gung-ho a tee shot can still easily find the out-of-bounds on either side, while even tee shots can find the burn if carried by the wind. Perhaps safer, then, to lay up for a pitch over the water and the chance of a birdie.

Hole 2 – Dyke

Dyke is a Scottish name for wall, and sure enough, a standing to the left of the fairway is behind the hole’s name. The hole is one of seven shared greens, and, in Dyke’s case, it shares it with the 16th, Corner of the Dyke. Dyke starts a run of six holes with blind tee shots. Players face a far narrower fairway than on Burn, with Cheape’s bunker (incidentally, all the bunkers have names on The Old Course, too, and this is named after the family who once owned the land) is on the left, while to the right is gorse. 

Hole 3 – Cartgate (Out)

This par 4 398-yard hole is so named because there was once a cart road crossing the fairway and leading to the sea (gate is a Scottish word for a road). The hole is home to the notorious – and gargantuan – Cartgate bunker guarding the vast, undulating green shared with the 15th. Usually, aiming left is the safest bet from the tee shot on The Old Course, but not here. The…