What are my options when my ball goes into a penalty area (red or yellow stakes)?

Question

Accepted Answer

Play it as it lies, no penalty (Rule 17.1b). The same Rules apply as in the general area. There are no special restrictions on how you play from a penalty area, so you can ground your club and move loose impediments. Or take penalty relief for one stroke (Rule 17.1d): Option Yellow Red Stroke and distance: play again from where you made your previous stroke Yes Yes Back on the line: drop outside the penalty area, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge between the hole and where you drop, as far back as you like Yes Yes Lateral relief: drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, not nearer the hole, outside the penalty area No Yes Things to know: You must know, or be virtually certain, that the ball is in the penalty area to use these options. If it might just be lost elsewhere, play a provisional ball. You can't take free relief from an abnormal course condition, or use the unplayable ball Rule, while your ball is in a penalty area.

Option	Yellow	Red
Stroke and distance: play again from where you made your previous stroke	Yes	Yes
Back on the line: drop outside the penalty area, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge between the hole and where you drop, as far back as you like	Yes	Yes
Lateral relief: drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, not nearer the hole, outside the penalty area	No	Yes