The 70-yard rule isn't a formal rule of golf you'll find in the USGA handbook, but it's a critical local guideline you’ll encounter at many courses designed to speed up play and improve your experience. Understanding this an unwritten rule is key to navigating the course efficiently and respectfully. This guide will break down exactly what the 70-yard rule is, why it exists, and the proper etiquette for using it so you can play with confidence and keep your group moving.
At its core, the 70-yard rule is a specific instruction relating to the use of golf carts. Most golf courses have a general policy that carts must remain on designated cart paths to protect the turf. The most sensitive areas of a course are the fairways and the manicured regions around the greens. Constant cart traffic can compact the soil, damage the root systems of the grass, and leave unsightly ruts, especially in wet conditions.
To strike a balance between turf protection and player convenience, many courses implement what's known as the "90-Degree Rule." This means you must keep the cart on the path until you are directly parallel (at a 90-degree angle) to your golf ball. At that point, you can drive straight off the path, onto the fairway, to your ball.
The 70-yard rule is a specific exception or addition to the 90-degree rule.
Here’s how it works: Once you are inside the 70-yard marker on a hole (usually marked by a stake or painted line on the cart path), the course grants you permission to break from the "cart path only" restriction and drive your cart directly to your ball. The idea is that for these very short approach shots, chips, and pitches, forcing players to walk back and forth from the path with multiple club options slows the game down unnecessarily.
So, to be crystal clear:
It’s important to remember this isn't a universal standard. Some courses might use a 100-yard rule, a 50-yard rule, or simply have green or white stakes that signal where it’s okay to leave the path. The specific distance isn’t the point, the concept is what matters.
This rule didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It serves a few very practical purposes for both the golf course management and the players themselves.
The primary driver behind the 70-yard rule is pace of play. Think about the typical scenario without this rule. You’re 65 yards from the green. You’re not sure if it’s a full sand wedge, a knockdown gap wedge, or maybe even a bump-and-run pitching wedge. So, you park on the cart path, grab all three clubs, and walk over to your ball. You hit the shot, then walk back to the cart path with two extra clubs, put them away, and finally drive up to the green. Now imagine four players in a group doing this on every hole. It adds up to significant delays.
The 70-yard rule eliminates this dead time. You can drive right up to your ball, have all your club options readily available, make your selection, play your shot, pop the club back in the bag, and be on your way. It dramatically speeds up the short game portion of each hole, which is where many rounds grind to a halt.
Golf should be enjoyable, and for many players, repeated walking from path to ball can be physically taxing. This is especially true for older golfers or those with mobility challenges. That 50-yard walk with a few wedges might not seem like much, but over 18 holes, it’s a lot of extra effort. The 70-yard rule makes the game more comfortable and less strenuous, allowing players to conserve their energy for their swings rather than on logistics.
From a course superintendent’s perspective, the dream is for no carts to ever touch the fairway. But from a business perspective, they know that’s not practical for most public and resort courses. Carts are a revenue source and a major convenience that keeps golfers coming back.
The 70-yard rule is a smart compromise. It keeps carts completely off the majority of the fairway on a given hole, protecting the prime landing areas. The most fragile part of any hole is the immediate area around the green - the collar, fringe, and tightly mown aprons. These areas see a ton of foot traffic and are meticulously maintained. By keeping carts just outside this zone, the rule protects the most valuable real estate while still allowing cart access on the heartier turf just a bit further out.
Having permission to drive off the path doesn't mean it's a free-for-all. As a thoughtful golfer, your goal should always be to leave the course in the same, or better, condition than you found it. Abiding by proper cart etiquette is a huge part of this.
First things first, find the marker! Don't just guess. Look for a yardage stake or a painted line on the cart path. Before you turn the wheel, take a quick look at the ground. Is it soggy from last night’s rain? Do you see a newly sodded patch of turf? If the ground is clearly wet or under repair, just stay on the path. Causing damage is never okay, even if the rule technically allows you to drive there.
When you do drive off the path, aim for the fairway or the lightest cut of rough. Avoid driving through deep, thick rough, as the turf there is more delicate and your tires are more likely to cause damage. Think like a deer and take the easiest, most direct path to your ball.
This is the most important part of the etiquette. NEVER drive your cart near a green, tee box, or bunker. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least 30 feet (10 yards) away from the edge of the green’s collar and from the edge of any sand bunker. The weight of the cart can collapse bunker edges and severely compact the soil structure aroud the putting surface, which affects drainage and turf health. No shot you have is important enough to justify damaging these sensitive areas.
Where you park your cart after you drive to your ball matters. Always think ahead to minimize extra driving and walking.
After your group has finished putting, don't linger on the green to mark down scores. Walk briskly to your carts, get in, and drive to the next tee. You can do all your scorecard admin and storytelling there while the next group plays their approach shots. Keep the flow of the game moving.
Ignoring cart rules, like the 70-yard rule, may seem minor, but it's a significant breach of etiquette with real consequences.
For the course, it leads to tangible damage. Tire ruts, compacted soil, and ruined turf takes time, money, and labor from the greens-keeping staff to fix - resources that could have been spent making other parts of the course even better.
For you, the consequences can range from a polite reminder from a course marshal to damaging your reputation. Experienced golfers notice these things, and getting a reputation as someone who disrespects the course is not a good look. In serious or repeat cases, the course has every right to ask you to leave. Put simply, following the cart rules shows you’re a conscientious golfer who cares about the game and the place you play it.
In summary, the 70-yard rule is a pace-of-play and convenience guideline - a handy exception that helps speed up rounds and make the game more enjoyable. Following it properly demonstrates good etiquette and respect for the grounds crew, ensuring the course stays in great shape for everyone.
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