How To Drop Off A Cart Path | Approach Shots | Golf Digest

In this episode of 'Approach Shots', Golf Digest rules editor Ron Kaspriske on the do's and don'ts of when you can drop off a cart path.

Transcript
Hi, I'm Ron Kaspriske, editor of
the rules page here at Golf Digest.
In our September issue on page ,
we talk a little bit about what to do
when you need to take relief from a cart path.
Here you see two golf balls where you might get relief
under - in the rules of golf book
entitled Immovable Obstruction.
Where you get relief though, depends on whether
you're a right-handed player or a left-handed player.
And by that I mean if you intended to hit your next shot
as a right-hander, well that's where you would take relief.
So, let me show you first with this ball on my left
which is on the cart path.
Now, obviously we get relief without penalty here,
we can move this ball.
So, as a right-hander, what I would do,
is I would find the nearest point of relief,
that allows me to stand and swing
without interference from the cart path.
That's gonna be over here.
Now, think of this area here as sort of a
piece of pie, if you will.
I'm allowed to drop anywhere in this area here,
that's one club-length from my nearest point
of relief and no closer to the hole.
So I would hold my arm out, shoulder length,
and just let the ball drop.
There's my new lie, without penalty,
and now I can hit my -iron shot into the green.
I'm a right-handed player, but let's assume for a second
I'm left-handed, I'm Phil Mickelson and I was
gonna play this next shot as a lefty.
My nearest point-of-relief to get my free drop
from this cart path is gonna be on this side.
The green is there, I can obviously see that
I can stand and swing over here as a lefty,
without interference from the cart path.
Unfortunately, it's the rough.
But that's the part of the breaks of golf.
If I was a right-hander, of course we would be on that side
but here, as a lefty, I'd have to go to this side.
Now here we have another situation
where you might be entitled to relief but again, it depends
on whether you're swinging left-handed or right-handed.
So, as a right-handed player,
there's my green right there,
I certainly don't get relief from this situation
because my stance, my swing, and the ball
are not interfered-with by the cart path.
However, if I'm Phil Mickelson and I'm playing
this as a lefty, well, guess what?
The only way I would normally play this shot
is if I were standing on the cart path.
Now indeed, I can still play this ball if I want
but I'm also entitled to free relief,
and I'll show you where you would drop.
In this case, the nearest point-of-relief
for the left-hander is also gonna be on this side.
It's closer than that side would be.
So, I'm gonna be able to take a drop
somewhere in this zone, again no closer to the hole,
within one club-length of my nearest
point-of-relief which is right about here.
So, I would just drop, and then move on.
There's one more thing to consider
when dropping under rule -.
The drop-zone is where the ball should land.
However, it can roll up to two club-lengths
including outside the drop-zone,
as long as it's no closer to the hole,
and you're still OK to play your next shot.
We know the rules of golf can be confusing,
even for us at Golf Digest.
So if you're still not sure, please consult the
Rules of Golf book or your local PGA pro.
Thanks for watching.

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How To Drop Off A Cart Path | Approach Shots | Golf Digest