What is the second relief option for a ball in a yellow penalty area?

The second option is back-on-the-line relief: you drop outside the yellow penalty area keeping the point where your ball last crossed the edge between the hole and your drop spot, with no limit on how far back you go, for one penalty stroke.

How back-on-the-line relief works

Pick the estimated spot where your ball last crossed the edge of the yellow penalty area. Imagine a straight line running from the hole through that crossing point and extending backwards. You can drop anywhere on that line, as far back as you like, as long as you stay outside the penalty area. The ball must first touch the ground on that line, and that contact point creates a relief area one club-length in any direction — but not nearer the hole than the crossing point, and not back inside the same penalty area.

Yellow vs red penalty areas

Yellow penalty areas only give you two relief choices: stroke-and-distance (replay from where you last hit) or this back-on-the-line option. Red penalty areas add a third choice — lateral relief within two club-lengths of the crossing point. So if the stakes are yellow, you cannot drop sideways; you must go back on the line or go back to the previous spot.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball is in a no-play zone inside the penalty area → You must take relief under Rule 17.1e — you cannot play it as it lies and your relief options may be restricted by the Committee's local rule.

Frequently asked questions

How far back can I go on the line?

As far as you want — there is no distance limit. You could drop 50 yards back if that gives you a better lie or angle, as long as the crossing point stays between the hole and where the ball first touches the ground.

What if my dropped ball rolls into the penalty area?

If it rolls back into the same yellow penalty area, you must re-drop. If it rolls in a second time, you place it where it first struck the ground on the line. The relief area cannot include any part of that penalty area.

Do I have to use the original ball?

No. You can drop the original ball or another ball — either is fine under Rule 14.3.

What if I don't know exactly where the ball crossed the edge?

Use your best judgment to estimate the crossing point. The Rules only require a reasonable estimate — you don't need laser precision, but you can't pick a spot that obviously helps you.