"If there's nae wind nor rain, there's nae golf!"

This Scottish expression sums up the stoic philosophy of the hardy Scottish people who invented golf before America was even discovered. These die-hard golfers were used to playing in whatever severe elements nature presented to them.

Since we're moving into the rainy season in Hawai'i and we have our own share of "die-hard" golfers, I thought it would be a good idea to review the rule on how to deal with casual water on the course, covered under Rule 25, Abnormal Ground Conditions.

Casual water is defined as any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is visible before or after the player takes his stance, and is not in a water hazard. Heavy morning dew and frost (for those playing the Volcano Golf Club on the Big Island) are not considered casual water.

A player may not jump up and down or press his foot down to bring up water — it must be present when simply taking a normal stance. A slender, lightweight player cannot call his more rotund, heavier playing companion over to test the condition! Also, soft and mushy ground does not constitute casual water. Water must be clearly visible or else the ball must be played as it lies.

Relief, without penalty, is given depending on where the player's ball lies. Through the green, the option is simple - the player must drop within one club-length from the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief may not be on a putting green or in a hazard. There is no penalty. The ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the casual water.

In a bunker, the player may drop without penalty, as long as the ball is dropped in the bunker. The player can even drop the ball into casual water that is not as deep as the location of the original ball. However, if the bunker is completely filled with deep water, and the player chooses to drop the ball outside the bunker, the player incurs a penalty stroke. The player must keep the point where the original ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is to be dropped, with no limit as to how far behind the bunker the ball is dropped.

On a putting green, the player must lift and place the ball at the nearest point of relief that provides maximum available relief from the condition. The nearest point or maximum available relief may be off the putting green, in the fringe or even higher rough around the green.

For details, refer to the Decisions on the Rules of Golf.

If you have a question regarding the rules of golf e-mail a question to cmurayama@honoluluadvertiser.com.