If a paved cart path or another man-made object that can't be moved gets in the way of your ball, stance or swing, you get free relief. You find the nearest spot that fully gets you out of the way, then drop within one club-length of it, no nearer the hole.
When do I get relief?
You have interference when your ball touches or sits on the object, or when it gets in the way of where you would stand or swing. On the putting green, it also counts if the object is on your line of putt. Being close enough to distract you is not enough.
Things like cart paths and sprinkler heads are typically treated as immovable obstructions. Your committee can mark certain objects as part of the course where no relief is given, so check the scorecard or ask the organizer.
How do I take relief on the course?
- Find the nearest point of complete relief. That is the closest spot to your ball, no nearer the hole, where the object no longer interferes with your ball, stance or swing for the club you would use.
- Drop a ball within one club-length of that spot, no nearer the hole than that spot, in the same part of the course (for example, the general area) as that spot.
- The ball must come to rest in that area, with complete relief from the object.
See Taking relief: measuring and dropping correctly for the dropping steps. On the putting green you place the ball instead of dropping it.
What if I can't make a stroke anyway?
There is no relief if the ball is in a spot where you couldn't hit it for another reason, such as deep in a bush, or if the interference only happens because you chose an unreasonable club, stance or swing.
What if I'm in a penalty area?
There is no free relief from these objects in a penalty area. See Penalty areas.
The governing rule is Rule 16.1.
Local rules
Your league's committee may have local rules that change this. Ask the organizer which ones your league uses.