Aloha, this week has been pretty quiet on the pro tours as regards the rules, so we'll go back and review a couple of definitions that have changed.

Abnormal Course Condition now includes immovable obstructions (cart paths, sprinkler heads and the like) as well as Animal Holes, Ground Under Repair and Temporary Water.  Generally you can play from these areas if you want, or you can take relief.  Sometimes, however, the course has defined these areas as No Play Zones, so that you MUST take relief.  

If you know where your ball is in an Abnormal Course Condition then you establish a Reference Point which is the nearest point on the course where the condition does not impact your stance or area of intended swing.  Then you get one club length (remember, always the longest club in your bag) from that Reference Point.

No Play Zones are areas that the committee (or course) prohibits play.  They can be environmentally protected, cultural in nature or any other reason the committee decides that play from the area is prohibited.  In Hawaii we have some examples, such as the dunes on the Kane'ohe Klipper course, the Trail of Tears on The Club at Hokulia on the Big Island and several courses with Heiau on them.  These areas are normally identified by stakes with green tips.

Holed has been changed due to the ability to leave the flagstick in the hole.  Added to the definition of Holed now is if your ball is touching the flagstick and any part of the ball is below the surface of the green, then your ball is holed, no need to jiggle the flag to let the ball fall.  There is one exception to this, and that is if your ball is embedded in the lip of the hole.  If the entire ball is below the surface of the green, then it is holed, otherwise it is not and you must take the ball and place it on the lip of the hole and putt it out.  This is true even if the ball is touching the flagstick.

A couple of new procedures are allowed that were previously not allowed.  You can move loose impediments in Bunkers and Penalty Areas now.  If your ball moves while doing this, however, you get the same penalty that you get in the General Area if your ball moves while you're moving a loose impediment.  You can also ground your club in Penalty Areas, whereas you couldn't last year.

Anybody recognize this location?

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