So why the rakes and hazard lines?
Tom D...if you're still with this...how do you handle sand areas at Pacific and Ballyneal?
Diamante plays them as through the green when last checked.
If one can't tell...I'm all against sand as a hazard with all the rules, raking and protocall. I am totally for sand being used as a natural feature found on courses and it should be played the same as rough and 'through the green'....as it was in the beginning.
Not getting my hopes up for change though...not in my lifetime anyway...but I still hold on to this silly idea of playing a simpler and less expensive game...all for the good of the Game.
Paul: I agree with your sentiments expressed here.
To be honest, I'm not even sure what rule they use for the sand at Pacific Dunes and Ballyneal. When we were building Pacific, I argued to make the sand all "through the green" since some of it was natural and would not be raked, and it's impossible to mark which is which. I know for the USGA competitions there they have called it all "bunker" so that players don't ground the club in a greenside bunker.
The only difference between us is that "through the green" or "hazafd," I wouldn't ground my club in the sand. I don't see why if you call it a "hazard" you have to provide rakes ... they didn't in the old days.
I've enjoyed building some courses which call this rule into question because they are so natural.