My ball went into a penalty area. What are my options?

Question

Accepted Answer

A ball is in a penalty area when any part of it touches or is above the area (Rule 17.1a). You may play it as it lies with no penalty, under the same rules as anywhere else in the general area (Rule 17.1b). Or, for one penalty stroke (Rule 17.1d): Option Yellow penalty area Red penalty area Stroke and distance: play again from where you last played Yes Yes Back-on-the-line: drop outside the area, keeping the point where your ball last crossed the edge between the hole and the drop spot, any distance back Yes Yes Lateral: drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, not nearer the hole No Yes If you can't find the ball, you can only use these options if it's known or virtually certain that it's in the penalty area. Otherwise it's a lost ball (stroke and distance) (Rule 17.1c). You can't take unplayable-ball or embedded-ball relief inside a penalty area (Rule 17.3).

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