Cart Path Relief

Question
Dear Expert,

I play on a course that has both paved and unpaved cart paths. On one particular hole, my ball came to rest on a dirt cart path running just inside the tree line. The path is clearly defined by tire marks, exposed roots, and in places even ruts. My ball was not in a rut, but it was on the cart path.

I took proper relief from the cart path which ended up with my ball on the fairway. Another player assessed a penalty on me saying that the cart path had to have an "artificial surface."

Who is right?

Answer
Hey Terry,

I've been looking for some kind of a definition of a cart path somewhere but can't find one. Relief from cart paths is a result of them being an immovable obstruction, which by definition has to be some sort of an "artificial surface."  An artificial surface making up a path can be wood chips, gravel, crushed brick...any number of things, but I can find nothing to suggest that you would be entitled relief in this situation. The only time I think this would work would be if there was a local rule in effect declaring all of these path- like areas to be obstructions.  After a couple of hours digging around I've come to the conclusion that the other player was correct.

Hope this helps.

Good luck,

John