Rules Question

[Golfing Dad]

I have a question about when someone can take relief. Today my son was playing and he hit his drive. The way it landed was at the bottom of the ledge of a small hill (about 6 inches high) that was abutting the cart path. The hill (more like a dirt curb) was formed by people in carts who would slightly miss the cart path. If people in carts had navigated the cart path properly the ledge would not have been formed. The way my son's ball landed was basically at the bottom of the ledge but was unplayable because if he swung he would strike the cart path. Does he get relief from this?

[zeg]

  Golfing Dad said:

I have a question about when someone can take relief. Today my son was playing and he hit his drive. The way it landed was at the bottom of the ledge of a small hill (about 6 inches high) that was abutting the cart path. The hill (more like a dirt curb) was formed by people in carts who would slightly miss the cart path. If people in carts had navigated the cart path properly the ledge would not have been formed. The way my son's ball landed was basically at the bottom of the ledge but was unplayable because if he swung he would strike the cart path. Does he get relief from this?

Yes, if the cart path would affect either his swing or his stance, he is entitled to free relief to within a club length of the nearest point of full relief (i.e., relief for BOTH stance and swing) from the cart path, no nearer to the hole. You may get relief even if the paved section of the path is not involved---generally, even an unpaved cart path qualifies for relief. However, if it's just a random rut away from the path, you have to play as it lies or take the unplayable lie penalty.