I had hit an approach shot and it was not pretty. I ended up over the left side of the green in the cart path up against the curb on the right side which is closest to the green. My partners said drop on the other side of the cart path away from the green. That would put me up against the fence. I took an unplayable lie. If I moved away from the hole in front of me same problem behind me put me closer to the hole. So was there another option?

Lost, I think you get one or two clubs lengths from the nearest point of relief but maybe you get an arc where you could go equally as far away (no nearer the green) on either side. So taking the unplayable you cost yourself a penalty stroke where you would have gotten a free drop off the path.

I'm sure Bill can tell us the right ruling...

Lostinwoods,
Scott just gave you the correct ruling and procedure. Which is pretty good for a guy who confesses to not always follow the rules.

I tried not to type it, but I couldn't help myself.