When is free relief from a no play zone in a penalty area not allowed?

Free relief from a no play zone in a penalty area is never allowed. If your ball lies in a no play zone inside a penalty area, you must take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d for one stroke — you cannot take free relief.

Why free relief doesn't apply here

A penalty area already gives you the option to play the ball as it lies or take penalty relief (Rule 17.1b). When a no play zone sits inside a penalty area, the Rules treat it as part of the penalty area. Rule 17.1e makes relief mandatory — you cannot play the ball from the no play zone — but the relief you take is the penalty-area relief under Rule 17.1d, which costs one stroke. There is no free-relief option for a no play zone that lies inside a penalty area.

What the exception in Rule 17.1b means

Rule 17.1b includes an exception: "Relief Must Be Taken from Interference by No Play Zone in Penalty Area (see Rule 17.1e)." This overrides the normal choice to play the ball as it lies. You are required to take relief, but the relief procedure is the same penalty relief available for any ball in a penalty area — stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral (red only) — each for one penalty stroke.

Contrast with no play zones outside penalty areas

If a no play zone is in the general area, a bunker, or on the putting green, you get free relief under Rule 16.1f (nearest point of complete relief, no penalty). That free relief disappears once the no play zone is inside a penalty area, because the penalty-area Rules (Rule 17) take precedence and only offer penalty relief.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Ball lies in a no play zone that is inside a penalty area → Relief is mandatory (you cannot play the ball as it lies), but it is penalty relief under Rule 17.1d for one stroke — not free relief.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ever get free relief from a no play zone in a penalty area?

No. The Rules only allow penalty relief (one stroke) under Rule 17.1d when a no play zone is inside a penalty area.

What if my ball is in the penalty area but not in the no play zone, and the no play zone only interferes with my stance or swing?

Same answer: you must take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d for one stroke. Free relief is not available for interference by a no play zone in a penalty area.

Does it matter whether the penalty area is red or yellow?

No. The colour only changes which penalty-relief options you have (lateral relief for red). In both cases the relief costs one stroke — never free.

What if the no play zone is defined as ground under repair instead?

If the committee defines the area as ground under repair (an abnormal course condition) rather than a no play zone, and it's inside a penalty area, Rule 16.1 does not apply — you still only have penalty-area relief under Rule 17.1d.

Can I play the ball as it lies if it's in a no play zone in a penalty area?

No. Rule 17.1b's exception makes relief mandatory. You must drop outside the no play zone using a penalty-area relief option for one stroke.