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Free relief from a cart path sounds straightforward — but there is a crucial condition most golfers overlook. Marcela Smith from Girlfriends Guide to Golf breaks down Rule 16.1 and explains exactly what ‘reasonable stroke’ means and why it determines whether you are entitled to relief at all.
Girlfriends Guide to golf – Know The Rules
The concept of a reasonable stroke sits at the heart of Rule 16.1, yet many golfers claim free relief without knowing this key condition applies. In this short video, the Marcela uses a real-life teaching scenario — a ball wedged against a boulder near a cart path — to illustrate precisely when free relief is and is not available. It is a rule that applies to golfers at every level.
Key Takeaways
Reasonable stroke is the key condition
Reasonable stroke is the key condition
To claim free relief from an immovable obstruction such as a cart path, you must first be able to demonstrate that a reasonable stroke at the ball was actually possible.
The obstruction must be causing the interference
If your ball is unplayable for another reason — such as being jammed against a boulder — the cart path nearby does not automatically entitle you to free relief under Rule 16.1.
No shot, no relief
If there is genuinely no safe or viable stroke available regardless of the obstruction, the obstruction is not the cause of the problem, and free relief cannot be claimed on that basis.
Next time your ball lands near a cart path, pause before picking up and ask yourself honestly whether a reasonable stroke was ever on the cards. This is an essential rule for any golfer who wants to play correctly and avoid unnecessary penalties.
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