The 90-degree rule is used at courses that allow golf carts onto the fairway. You drive along the cart path until you are level with your ball, turn off at a right angle and drive straight to it, and after your shot you return to the path the same way. Cart path only means carts must stay on the cart path at all times. Neither is part of the Rules of Golf: both are course policies to protect the turf, and they can change from day to day depending on the weather and the condition of the grass.
How to drive under the 90-degree rule
- Drive along the cart path until you are roughly level with your ball.
- Turn off the path at a right angle and drive straight to the ball.
- After you have played, drive straight back to the path along the same route.
- If your playing partner’s ball is somewhere else, go back to the path first, drive until you are level with that ball, and turn in the same way.
The most common mistake is to turn off the path at a right angle and then drive up the length of the fairway to a partner’s ball. That defeats the purpose of the rule. When carts drive up and down the fairway, the tyres pass over the same strips again and again, wearing the grass thin and leaving ruts after rain. Entering and leaving at right angles spreads tyre tracks across the whole fairway and keeps the distance driven on the grass short.
90-degree rule vs. cart path only
| 90-degree rule | Cart path only | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving on the fairway | Allowed, entering and leaving at right angles | Not allowed. Carts stay on the path |
| Driving in the rough | Depends on the course’s instructions | Not allowed |
| Typical conditions | Dry days when the turf is in good condition | After rain, while the turf is recovering, frosty mornings and so on |
| What the player does | Drive the cart to beside the ball | Park on the path and walk to the ball |
On cart-path-only days, walking to the ball takes longer. If you are not sure of the exact distance, take two or three clubs with you so you do not have to walk back and forth, and you will not slow down play.
Places and days where carts are often restricted
- Around greens and tees. Even under the 90-degree rule, carts are generally not allowed near greens or tees. These areas are often marked off with ropes, stakes or signs, so stay outside them.
- Around bunkers, on slopes, in muddy areas and near ponds. The turf is easily damaged, and there is a risk of the cart sliding or tipping over.
- Par-3 holes. Because the holes are short, some courses keep carts on the path on par 3s.
- Rainy days and after rain. Soft ground leaves deep tyre marks, so many courses switch to cart path only. Even if carts are allowed on the fairway in the morning, a shower during the day can mean path only for the afternoon.
How to tell whether carts are allowed on the fairway
- Check when you book. Some courses and booking sites state whether carts may go on the fairway. Even then, they usually note that it may not be possible on the day because of weather or turf conditions.
- Ask before you tee off. The starter or your caddie can tell you: “Is it cart path only today?” or “Are we on the 90-degree rule today?”
- Read the signs on the course. Signs such as “Cart path only” or “No carts beyond this point” tell you the rule for that spot.
Cart policies vary a great deal from course to course and country to country. Wherever you play, understanding the 90-degree rule and cart path only makes the instructions you get on the day much easier to follow.
Golf cart etiquette
- Do not move the cart near a playing partner who is about to hit. Stop and wait quietly.
- When you park beside the green, stop on the side of the path that leads to the next tee. You can move off as soon as you finish, and the group behind does not have to wait.
- Do not carry more people than the cart is designed for, and keep your hands and feet inside while moving. Slow down on downhill slopes.
- Do not park in the line of play. When you see the cart of the group ahead, do not get too close.
In formal competitions, a Local Rule may prohibit the use of motorised transport such as golf carts (Model Local Rule G-6). That is the only situation in which the Rules of Golf deal with carts; for everyday rounds, how you drive is decided by the course. For behaviour around the green see our article on etiquette around the green, and for general etiquette see golf etiquette for beginners.
Carts at Southeast Asian golf courses
In Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia you will find a mix of courses that let carts onto the fairway, courses that use the 90-degree rule and courses that are cart path only. In Malaysia and Singapore a golf cart is often called a “buggy”, which is useful to know.
- Expect more cart-path-only days in the rainy season. The ground gets especially muddy after an afternoon downpour, and the course may switch to path only part-way through your round.
- Follow your caddie’s instructions. At courses with caddies, the caddie knows how far carts are allowed to go that day. Each course also has its own rules on who drives and how to ride, so ask your caddie if you are not sure.
- Plan for the heat. Long walks from the cart path in the strong midday sun are tiring. On cart-path-only days, drink water regularly and wait in the shade where you can.
Cart policies differ from course to course, so if it matters to you, check the course information before you book. You can find a golf course on GoGolf.