Question: When my ball is on or near a cart path, do I get one club length or two for relief?
Answer: In most cases under the Rules of Golf, you are allowed nearest point of complete relief plus one club length. It is not automatically two club lengths. Here’s how it works:
First, you identify the nearest point of complete relief. This is the closest spot where your stance, swing, and ball are no longer affected by the cart path, while still not being closer to the hole. Once that point is established, you are allowed one club length from that point, no closer to the hole. You can use any club in your bag (INCLUDING DRIVER!).
It’s important to note:
- Relief is free only if interference exists (stance or swing, not just visual annoyance)
- You must drop within the relief area properly (knee height drop under current rules)
- You cannot take relief if it puts you into a worse condition than the original lie unless you choose to proceed
Understanding proper cart path relief is one of the easiest ways to avoid penalty strokes in competition.