What are my options when my ball is in a penalty area?

Under Rule 17.1 of the 2023 Rules of Golf, you may play the ball as it lies without penalty, under the same Rules as the general area, or take penalty relief for one penalty stroke. The relief also applies if the ball is known or virtually certain to be in the penalty area but has not been found.

Options for one penalty stroke (Rule 17.1d):

1. Stroke and distance: play the original or another ball from where your previous stroke was made.
2. Back on the line: drop outside the penalty area, keeping the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area between the hole and where you drop, with no limit on how far back. The relief area is one club-length from where the ball first touches the ground, not nearer the hole than that crossing point, and in the same area of the course.
3. Lateral relief (red penalty areas only): drop in a relief area two club-lengths from the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area, not nearer the hole than that point.

Yellow penalty areas have options 1 and 2 only. An exception applies if the Committee has marked a no play zone in the penalty area: you must take relief from it (Rule 17.1e).