What is the relief area when taking penalty relief from a penalty area?

The relief area depends on which option you choose. For back-on-the-line relief it's one club-length from where your dropped ball first touches the ground; for lateral relief (red penalty areas only) it's two club-lengths from the estimated crossing point. Both must not be nearer the hole.

Back-on-the-line relief area

When you take back-on-the-line relief under Rule 17.1d(2), you drop a ball on a line going straight back from the hole through the estimated point where your ball last crossed the penalty area edge. The relief area is a one club-length radius in any direction from where that dropped ball first hits the ground. This area must not be nearer the hole than the crossing point, can be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, and must be in the same area of the course where the ball first touched the ground.

Lateral relief area (red penalty areas only)

If the penalty area is red, you have the extra option of lateral relief under Rule 17.1d(3). You drop within two club-lengths of the estimated crossing point, not nearer the hole. The relief area is a two club-length radius from that reference point, with the same limits: not nearer the hole, not in the same penalty area, and in the same area of the course where the ball first touches the ground.

Stroke-and-distance relief area

Stroke-and-distance relief under Rule 17.1d(1) uses the relief area defined in Rule 14.6: you drop within one club-length of where the previous stroke was made, not nearer the hole. This is the same relief area you'd use for a lost ball or out of bounds.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball is in a no-play zone inside a penalty area → You must take relief under Rule 17.1e — you cannot play the ball as it lies, and the relief area follows the same penalty area relief options but is mandatory.
• It's not known or virtually certain the ball is in the penalty area → You cannot use penalty area relief; you must take stroke-and-distance relief under Rule 18.2 for a lost ball.

Frequently asked questions

Can my relief area be in a bunker or on the putting green?

Yes. The relief area may be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, including bunkers and putting greens, as long as it's not nearer the hole than the reference point.

What if my ball rolls out of the relief area after I drop it?

You must re-drop. If it rolls out again, you place it where it first touched the ground on the second drop (Rule 14.3c).

Do I have to find my ball to take penalty area relief?

No. If it's known or virtually certain the ball is in the penalty area, you can take relief without finding it. But if it's not certain, the ball is lost and you must use stroke-and-distance.

What's the difference between a red and yellow penalty area for relief?

Yellow penalty areas only offer stroke-and-distance and back-on-the-line relief. Red penalty areas add the lateral relief option (two club-lengths from the crossing point).