What Does The 90 Degree Rule Mean in Golf?

It can be difficult to understand the rules of golf. I’ll never forget my brief panic before my first round of golf when the marshall told me that the 90-degree rule applied on all holes. I didn’t dare to ask him to explain it to me.

I was fortunate to be paired with a gentleman who gave me a crash course in the 90-degree rule and how it applies on the cart path.

If you aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of the 90-degree rule in golf, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you all that you need to know in this post.

Golf: 90 Degree Rule

The 90-degree rule, which is the foundation of good golf cart etiquette, is important. This means that the golfer must keep his cart on the paved path until he is in line to his golf ball. In other words, the golfer can’t just drive straight from the tee box to the fairway.

After the golfer has correctly identified the ball, he can make a right-angle turn onto fairway and park near it. After hitting the shot the golfer returns to the cart and drives straight back to the cart path.

Why the 90 Degree Rule Is Important

The main purpose of the 90 degree rule is to protect fairway grass. The fairway is a very sensitive part of the golf course, and it’s difficult for the grounds crew to maintain it constantly. Golf carts are limited to the designated path, so the 90-degree rule helps keep damage to the fairway to a minimum.

Golf courses want their clients to enjoy the convenience of their carts, but not at any cost to the environment. Rules such as the 90-degree rule provide a compromise for both the golfers and course maintenance staff. Golfers can help to keep green fees down by adhering to the rules, taking good care and using common-sense.

Other Important Golf Cart Rules & Etiquette

While the 90-degree rule of golf is a standard, there are additional rules for golf carts. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.

1. Never drive a golf cart up to a Tee Box or Green.

If you break this rule, a marshall could throw you off the course. All golf carts must follow the designated paths to avoid getting in the way of greens or tee boxes. Both areas cost a lot of time, energy, and money to maintain, so it’s crucial to obey this rule.

2. Keep Golf Carts Away from All Bunkers

Although this may seem obvious, it must be mentioned. Carts are not allowed to enter bunkers or near them. Neglecting to follow this rule could result in your cart getting stuck in the sand.

3. Avoid abrupt turns and sudden stops

While it is acceptable to turn at a 90-degree angle, golfers should avoid turning at a reckless speed when driving golf carts. It’s also wise to avoid sudden stops. Avoiding sudden stops and sharp turns can lead to injury.

4. Don’t Crowd The Next Group

This is more proper etiquette than an official rule, but if the group in front of you is on the tee box, don’t drive up and park right behind them. This is considered rude distraction to the person trying their tee shot. To park your tee, find a tree that is a few feet from the teebox.