Red and yellow penalty areas

On the course

1. Identify the area's marking.
2. Estimate where the ball last crossed its edge.
3. Choose an allowed relief option and follow the correct dropping procedure.

Worked situation

For red-area lateral relief, measure two club-lengths from the last crossing point, no nearer the hole and outside that same penalty area. Use the crossing point, not the ball's final location.

Important distinction

You may play the ball as it lies when permitted. Relief for a ball not found needs knowledge or virtual certainty that it is in the area. Ordinary unplayable-ball relief does not apply inside a penalty area.

Related video

Watch the demonstration, then return to the practice check in this guide.

Back-on-the-line relief

Keep the hole and the estimated last crossing point in line, then go back as far as you wish on that line outside the penalty area. Drop on the line. Under the current procedure, the first ground-contact point defines a relief area extending one club-length in any direction, subject to the Rule’s area and nearer-the-hole limits. Read Rule 17.1d before applying this on the course.

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