Penalty Area Rules in Golf: Red vs Yellow Penalty Areas, Relief Options

What Is a Penalty Area in Golf?

A penalty area is a defined area on the golf course where the ball may be lost or hard to play. It is marked by red or yellow stakes or lines and is used to represent bodies of water or other areas defined by the Committee where a ball is often lost or unable to be played. Unlike out of bounds, which requires stroke and distance (Rule 18.2b), a penalty area offers specific relief options under Rule 17.1d.

A ball is in a penalty area when any part of the ball touches the ground inside the edge, or is above the edge (Rule 17.1a). If the ball is playable without undue difficulty, the player may play it as it lies without penalty (Rule 17.1b) or take penalty relief (Rule 17.1d).

Red vs Yellow Penalty Areas

The color of the stakes determines the relief options available:

• Yellow penalty areas allow two relief options:

- Stroke and distance (add one stroke, replay from where you last hit, Rule 17.1d(1)).

- Back-on-the-line (add one stroke, drop outside the area, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge directly between the hole and the drop spot, Rule 17.1d(2)).

• Red penalty areas add a third relief option:

- Lateral relief (add one stroke, drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, but not closer to the hole, and outside the same penalty area, Rule 17.1d(3)).

Key Differences:

• Yellow: Stroke and distance (replay from previous stroke) or back-on-the-line (drop outside the area, keeping crossing point between hole and drop spot).
• Red: Same two options as yellow, plus lateral relief (drop within two club-lengths of crossing point, not closer to hole, and outside the same penalty area).

Playing the Ball as It Lies

If the ball is in a penalty area and can be played without undue difficulty, the player may play it as it lies without penalty (Rule 17.1b). For example, if a ball is in a shallow yellow penalty area (a pond) and can be hit out of the water, the player may play it as it lies. Playing it is a choice, not a requirement, and it carries no penalty stroke.

If you choose not to play it, you may take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d for one stroke. Unplayable-ball relief (Rule 19) is not available for a ball in a penalty area, so the options below are the ones that count.

How to Take Penalty Area Relief

Each option costs one penalty stroke. Use the steps that match the color of the stakes or lines.

Stroke and Distance (Yellow or Red)

1. Add one penalty stroke.
2. Play again from where you made your previous stroke (Rule 17.1d(1)).

Back-on-the-Line (Yellow or Red)

1. Add one penalty stroke.
2. Find the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area.
3. Drop a ball outside the penalty area, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot where you drop (Rule 17.1d(2)).

This can be useful if the area is narrow or you want a better angle for your next shot.

Lateral Relief (Red Only)

1. Add one penalty stroke.
2. Find the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area.
3. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of that point, not nearer the hole, and outside the same penalty area (Rule 17.1d(3)).

Lateral relief gives the most flexibility in choosing a drop spot, which is why red stakes are common where going back on the line would be impractical.

Worked Example: Yellow Penalty Area

Scenario: A player hits their ball into a yellow penalty area (a pond). The ball is submerged and cannot be played.

Options:

• Play it as it lies (if possible).
• Take stroke and distance relief:

- Add one stroke.

- Replay the shot from where the previous stroke was made.

• Take back-on-the-line relief:

- Add one stroke.

- Drop the ball outside the pond, keeping the crossing point between the hole and the drop spot.

Correct Action: The player chooses stroke and distance, adds one stroke, and replays the shot from where they last hit the ball.

Worked Example: Red Penalty Area

Scenario: A player hits their ball into a red penalty area (a large lake). The ball is submerged and cannot be played.

Options:

• Play it as it lies (if possible).
• Stroke and distance (add one stroke, replay from previous stroke).
• Back-on-the-line (add one stroke, drop outside the area, keeping crossing point between hole and drop spot).
• Lateral relief (add one stroke, drop within two club-lengths of crossing point, not closer to hole, and outside the same penalty area).

Correct Action: The player chooses lateral relief, adds one stroke, and drops the ball within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, ensuring it is not closer to the hole and outside the lake.

Penalty Area vs Out of Bounds

A penalty area is not the same as out of bounds.

• Out of bounds is a boundary of the course. If the ball crosses it, it is lost, and the player must add one penalty stroke and replay from where the previous stroke was made (Rule 18.2b).
• Penalty areas are marked and offer specific relief options (stroke and distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral relief).

Example: If a ball crosses the out-of-bounds line, the player must add one stroke and replay from where they last hit the ball.

Common Mistakes with Penalty Areas

1. Assuming all penalty areas offer the same relief options. Yellow areas allow stroke and distance and back-on-the-line; red areas add lateral relief.
2. Failing to check the color of the stakes before taking relief. This can lead to incorrect drop spots or penalties.
3. Not adding the required stroke when taking relief. All relief options in penalty areas require adding one stroke (Rule 17.1d).

Three Original Drills to Practice Penalty Area Relief

Drill 1: Penalty Area Relief Simulation

Setup: Mark a red and yellow "penalty area" on the practice range using cones or tape. Place a ball in each area.

Steps:

1. Practice taking stroke and distance relief from both red and yellow areas.
2. For both areas, practice back-on-the-line relief.
3. For red areas, practice lateral relief.
4. Ensure the drop spot is not closer to the hole than the point where the ball last crossed the edge.

Reps: 10 drops per relief option.

What Good Looks Like: The player replays from the previous stroke location (for stroke and distance), drops outside the area with the crossing point between the hole and the drop spot (for back-on-the-line), or drops within two club-lengths of the crossing point (for lateral relief).

---

Drill 2: Ball Position Practice

Setup: Place a ball in various positions within a marked penalty area (e.g., near the edge, deep in the area, on a slope).

Steps:

1. Practice hitting from each position to determine if the ball is playable as it lies.
2. If you choose not to play it, take stroke and distance or another penalty relief option.

Reps: 5 positions, 3 shots each.

What Good Looks Like: The player identifies playable positions and knows when to take relief.

---

Drill 3: Relief Drop Accuracy Drill

Setup: Mark a point on the course (e.g., a tree or stake). Simulate a penalty area edge at that point.

Steps:

1. Practice dropping the ball within two club-lengths of the marked point (for lateral relief).
2. Ensure the drop spot is not closer to the hole than the point.

Reps: 10 drops.

What Good Looks Like: The ball is dropped accurately within two club-lengths of the point, with no proximity to the hole.

When to See a PGA Professional

If you are unsure about the rules for penalty areas or need help practicing relief options, consult a PGA professional. They can help you understand Rule 17 and improve your course management.

Edition note: Based on the 2023 Rules of Golf; a new edition takes effect 1 January 2028. Always check your event's local rules.

FAQ

Can I drop the ball in a penalty area?

No. You must take relief outside the penalty area. Dropping inside is not allowed (Rule 17.1d).

What if I hit the ball into a red penalty area?

You may take stroke and distance (replay from previous stroke), back-on-the-line (drop outside the area, keeping crossing point between hole and drop spot), or lateral relief (drop within two club-lengths of crossing point, not closer to hole, and outside the same penalty area) (Rule 17.1d).

Is a penalty area the same as out of bounds?

No. A penalty area is a marked area with relief options, while out of bounds is a boundary requiring stroke and distance (Rule 18.2b).

What is "stroke and distance" relief?

It is a relief option where you add one stroke and replay the shot from where you last hit (Rule 17.1d(1)).

What is "back on the line" relief?

It is a relief option for both yellow and red penalty areas where you add one stroke and drop the ball outside the area, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge directly between the hole and the drop spot (Rule 17.1d(2)).

Related Pages

• Golf Rules – Every common rules situation in plain English
• Out of Bounds – Why OB means stroke and distance, not a drop
• Provisional Ball – Save a walk back when your ball may be lost
• Unplayable Lie – Your options when the ball is stuck outside a penalty area

Sources to Cite

• Rule 17.1a: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17
• Rule 17.1d(1): https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17
• Rule 17.1d(2): https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17
• Rule 17.1d(3): https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17
• Rule 18.2b: https://www.randa.org/en/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-18

Last updated: 2026-10-26