I just stumbled across an interesting tidbit that was news to me . . . The famous "Redan" bunker on the Redan hole was not the "Redan" bunker at all, but was actually named "The Lamb" bunker. The actual "Redan" bunker was not the green side bunker, but rather the cross bunker 50 yards short of the Redan green, the one with the walking path through the middle.
To explain, in the Jan. 19, 1900 edition of Golf Illustrated, Hutchinson had described the Redan and the "Redan bunker" as part of his "Famous Bunkers" series. In the next edition (Jan. 26, 1900) Edward J.L. Blyth (a famous North Berwick Amateur who I believe was involved in documenting the course and changes over the years) wrote to set Hutchinson straight. I've copied the entire letter because it contains other interesting tidbits as well:
Sir,—Mr. Hutchinson's description of the bunker to the left in your illustration of the Redan green, North Berwick, is quite correct except that its name is not "Redan," but rejoices in the much milder and non-military name of "The Lamb ;" so called long ago, some say because it faces the Lamb Island in the Forth, others because it is the frequent refuge from both storm and sunshine, of sheep and lambs.
The "Redan" bunker is about fifty yards due west, and must be played over for a really good shot to the green, the carry being about 130 to 150 yards according to site of tee ; it is in many parts a much more difficult bunker to get "houkit cot" of than the Redan. Mr. Hutchinson will, no doubt, recollect it when I say it is divided by a footpath through it and has a barbed wire on top of its steep bank. This error in nomenclature was so common that last year the New Club, North Berwick, had a plan produced from actual survey of the links showing all bunkers and their names, many being christened for the first time, and which can be had from the Secretary for one shilling. Another reason was to facilitate description of a game; for instance, in going from third to fourth hole, it is possible to get into seveu bunkers, and without names it was difficult to describe one's play.
The "Shipka Pass " mentioned by Mr. Hutchinson no longer exists, the great widening of the course from fourth to fifth hole in 1894 having done away with it, and though of course its site exists the name is no longer used. That name was given soon after the first extension of the green to eighteen holes in the early seventies by an excellent, keen golfer, the late Mr. David Croall, whom I think you must have known.
I think it would be useful were names given to all bunkers on every green, and also to other prominent features, such as the "Horse" at North Berwick to which Mr. Hutchinson refers.
Many old caddies and players at North Berwick used to make the same mistake as to the "Lamb " and "Redan," which Mr. Hutchinson has fallen into, and to prevent such in the future, boy caddies at North Berwick before passing from second to first class, are expected to pass an examination as to the names of all bunkers.
I am, Sir, etc.,
EDWARD L. J. BLYTH.