What happens if my ball is in a no play zone inside a penalty area?
You must take relief with a one-stroke penalty — you cannot play the ball as it lies. Rule 17.1e(1) requires relief when your ball is in a no play zone inside a penalty area, and you use the penalty area relief options in Rule 17.1d.
Why you can't play it as it lies
Normally in a penalty area you have a choice: play the ball as it lies with no penalty, or take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d. But Rule 17.1b makes an exception: when a no play zone interferes inside a penalty area, relief is mandatory. A no play zone is a part of the course where play is prohibited — often for environmental protection, safety, or to protect young trees. If your ball is in one, you're not allowed to make a stroke at it.
Your relief options — all cost one stroke
You proceed under Rule 17.1d with a one-stroke penalty. You have three choices: (1) stroke-and-distance — go back to where you hit the previous shot; (2) back-on-the-line — drop on a line going straight back from the hole through where the ball last crossed the penalty area edge, as far back as you want; (3) lateral relief (red penalty area only) — drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, no closer to the hole. In all cases you drop in a relief area one club-length from the reference point, not nearer the hole, and the ball must not end up in the same penalty area.
If the ball isn't found but you're sure it's in the no play zone
Rule 17.1c applies: when it's known or virtually certain the ball came to rest in the penalty area (including the no play zone), you take the same penalty relief under Rule 17.1d without finding the ball. Once you put another ball in play this way, the original ball is out of play — even if someone finds it before the three-minute search ends.
Exceptions that change the answer
- The no play zone is defined as ground under repair rather than a no play zone → You take free relief under Rule 16.1f instead of penalty relief under Rule 17.1d — but only if the Committee has defined it that way.
- Your ball is in the penalty area but only your stance or swing is interfered with by the no play zone → You still must take relief under Rule 17.1e(1) — interference includes stance and area of intended swing, not just the ball's position.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play the ball if it's in a no play zone inside a penalty area?
No. Rule 17.1e(1) makes relief mandatory — you are not allowed to make a stroke at a ball in a no play zone, even inside a penalty area.
Is the penalty one stroke or two?
One stroke. You take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d, and each option carries a one-stroke penalty.
What if it's a yellow penalty area — do I still get lateral relief?
No. Lateral relief (two club-lengths) is only available for red penalty areas. In a yellow penalty area your options are stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line only.
My ball is in the penalty area but the no play zone only affects my stance. Do I still have to take relief?
Yes. Interference by a no play zone includes your stance and area of intended swing — not just the ball's location. Relief is mandatory.
Can I drop in the no play zone when taking relief?
No. The relief area must not be in the no play zone. If your only relief area would be in the no play zone, you must use a different relief option (like stroke-and-distance).