Can you stand on the path after taking relief?
If a player takes relief from a cart path and their stance is still on the path, but they decide to play the ball from there, is that against the rules?
The Rules of Golf require a player to take complete relief.
For cart paths, Rule 16.1(b) requires complete relief, meaning the ball, stance, and swing must all be clear of the path.
If a player takes relief but their stance remains on the path, it means they are playing from the wrong place. Under Rule 14.7, they incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play and lose the hole in match play.
Steps for taking relief from a cart path.
- Locate the nearest point of complete relief.
Find the closest point where the cart path no longer interferes with your stance, backswing, and area of intended swing. This point can be to the left, right, or behind the cart path, but it cannot be closer to the hole than your original ball position.
- Drop the ball within one club-length of the relief area.
Place a tee at the nearest point of relief. Measure one club-length away from the tee, either behind or to either side (but not closer to the hole). Drop the ball anywhere within this one-club-length area.
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