EFINITION: A carthpath is considered an obstruction (see Definitions, Rules of Golf) if any foreign material has been used to construct it.

Simmons, Jannace & Stagg

EXAMPLES: Paths made of cement, tar, wood chips, planks or gravel are obstructions. A dirt or sand path is not, so you're not entitled to move the ball off these paths without penalty.

WHEN CAN I GET RELIEF? If the cartpath interferes with your ball, stance or swing, you can drop the ball (without penalty) within one club-length of the nearest point where you can stand and swing without interference from the path, as long as it's not any closer to the hole. You can play your next shot from the path if you wish (top photo). However, if you want to move the ball, you have to play from a spot where you're totally clear of the path (bottom photo), not from a spot where you are still touching the path (middle photo).