NINETY-DEGREE RULE

Did you know, that the leading cause of damage to our fairways, roughs and pine straw areas is golf cart traffic? We used to allow our players to drive anywhere on the golf course, which causes excessive damage to our golf course. Not only do golf carts on the grass cause damage, but they flatten the blades of grass causing poor lies and making the golf course more difficult.

Our goal is to provide the best playing conditions possible for all our Members and Guests. We need your help to KEEP MYSTIC CREEK BEAUTIFUL!!

The 90-Degree rule means that the golfer is supposed to remain on the cart path at all times. Once you reach a point where a 90-Degree turn would cause the golf cart to drive laterally across the fairway directly to the ball, you drive to your ball. After you hit your shot, you drive laterally back to the cart path.

Let’s look at the illustration to see how the rule applies to playing golf:

The tee area is at the bottom of the picture. The putting green is that light oval at the top of the picture. Let’s imagine the cart path runs along the right-hand side of the fairway. 

Your tee shot lands in position #1. Nice shot! You’re ball is in the fairway!

WRONG WAY – Inconsiderate golfers, they drive along the black route, leaving the cart path and making a beeline straight to your ball. That’s not the proper thing to do. They have now ruined the lies of anyone else whose ball comes to rest along the black line. They then continue along the fairway to position #2, depressing the grass your tires crush along the way. These golfers also don’t rake the bunkers, they don’t fill their divots with sand, and they don’t fix their ball marks on the greens. We see these inconsiderate golfers (Members and Guests) every day at Mystic Creek.

RIGHT WAY – Considerate golfers, care about other golfers and follow the red path. They take care of our golf course and try to minimize the damage to the turf. They utilize the 90-Degree rule and stay on the cart path as much as possible. They follow the “Make One. Fix Two” motto and all golf course etiquette guidelines. They rake the bunkers, fill their divots with sand, and fix their ball marks. They never drive between bunkers or withing 25 yards of any green unless they are on the cart path. They are courteous to all other golfers.

CART PATH ONLY – There are times when our Superintendent makes the golf course cart path only for inclement weather or maintenance. When we say “cart path only”, no one is allowed to leave the cart path (Fairways, rough and pine straw areas are off-limits). 

We need your help to make sure everyone follows these guidelines for the enjoyment of all golfers and to keep Mystic Creek beautiful.