What do the rules say about relief from the cart path when you decided not to do it on your first shot?
John McAley
The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. our Rules Guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.
A friend’s car rests on a paved cart path. He plays the ball as it lays… and hits it OB. Does he have to hit the cart path again or can he get relief from it? — Matt Lonegan, via email
Interesting question, although not as difficult as the cart road itself.
Playing by the book, you must put the ball back into play based on the point on the cart’s path.
However, playing from the previous spot (such as in the stroke and distance) gives you a club-length relief zone under Rule 14.6. If, after release, you still have interference from the road, you will be allowed to get free relief under Rule 16.1.
For more instructions about the cart path from our teacher, read on…
Rules Guy: Is it legal to take a free fall from a dirt cart path with a concrete curb?
Rules Guy
Due to the rain, our club decided to use preferred lies during the club championship. On the 4th hole, a competitor took the one club-length relief allowed under the Local Rule for preferred lies, then claimed relief from a cart path that now interfered with his putt. His original lie was behind a tree and the relief gave him a clearer path to the green. Was it smart or wet? – Paul Hinz, Sartell, Minn.
Paul, this is exactly why the Rules recommend that preferred lies not be used throughout the general area and instead be limited to only portions of the general area cut to fairway height or less – otherwise, there is a definite potential for a golfer to leave prison.
If the Committee were indeed to adopt the Local Rule throughout the general area, after the player uses his free length at the club and then has interference from an abnormal condition of the course, such as cart path, he would be allowed relief under Rule 16.1b.
After he has finished doing this, he can prefer his lie again according to the Local Rules if he wishes. Therefore, we prefer that the Local Rule be made in the recommended manner.
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