Lateral relief with wheeled mobility device expands relief area

Yes, the relief area is larger. If you use a wheeled mobility device and take lateral relief from a red penalty area, you measure two club-lengths instead of one, and you may measure across the penalty area to find your relief area (Rule 17.1d(3) with Rule 25.4c).

How lateral relief works for wheeled mobility devices

When your ball is in a red penalty area and you choose lateral relief under Rule 17.1d(3), the standard relief area is one club-length from where the ball last crossed the edge. For players who use a wheeled mobility device, Rule 25.4c expands that to two club-lengths. You still drop in the relief area and play from there with one penalty stroke. The reference point is the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area. From that point, you measure two club-lengths in any direction (not nearer the hole) to define your relief area. The ball must be dropped in and come to rest in that relief area.

Measuring across the penalty area

Interpretation 17.1d(3)/1 confirms that when taking lateral relief, you may measure across the penalty area to establish the relief area. This means your two club-length measurement can extend across the water or penalty area itself — you are not required to stay on the same side. The relief area simply must not be nearer the hole than the crossing point and must be outside the same penalty area.

Other relief options remain unchanged

The expanded two club-length relief area only applies to lateral relief (Rule 17.1d(3)) for red penalty areas. Stroke-and-distance relief (Rule 17.1d(1)) and back-on-the-line relief (Rule 17.1d(2)) use their standard procedures. If the penalty area is yellow, lateral relief is not available at all — only stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Penalty area is yellow → Lateral relief is not an option; you must use stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line relief.
• Player does not use a wheeled mobility device → Standard one club-length lateral relief area applies.
• Ball is in a no-play zone within the penalty area → Relief is mandatory under Rule 17.1e, but the two club-length expansion still applies for wheeled mobility device users.

Frequently asked questions

How many club-lengths do I get for lateral relief if I use a wheelchair?

You get two club-lengths from the crossing point, not the usual one. This applies only to lateral relief from a red penalty area (Rule 17.1d(3) with Rule 25.4c).

Can I measure across the water to find my relief area?

Yes. Interpretation 17.1d(3)/1 allows you to measure across the penalty area when establishing your lateral relief area. The two club-lengths can extend over the penalty area.

Does this apply to yellow penalty areas too?

No. Yellow penalty areas do not offer lateral relief at all. You only get stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line relief, which use their standard measurements.

What if I use a wheeled mobility device but take back-on-the-line relief?

The two club-length expansion only applies to lateral relief. Back-on-the-line relief still uses a one club-length relief area from where the dropped ball first touches the ground.

Do I still take a penalty stroke?

Yes. Lateral relief from a penalty area always costs one penalty stroke, regardless of the size of the relief area.