Yellow penalty area
Yellow areas normally offer stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line relief, each for one penalty stroke. There is no standard two-club-length lateral option.
By Fore Alarm · Updated October 31, 2026
Yellow areas normally offer stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line relief, each for one penalty stroke. There is no standard two-club-length lateral option.
- For back-on-the-line relief, keep the last crossing point between the hole and your drop spot. Drop on that line outside the penalty area; the landing spot creates a one-club-length relief area.
The relief area cannot be nearer the hole than the crossing point. You may usually play the original as it lies; no-play zones are an exception.
Official R&A / USGA Rules · Rule 17.1d ↗
On-course example
Yellow and red penalty areas are different. A convenient sideways drop is not one of the standard yellow-area options.
Before you act
Identify the area of the course, check the relevant Local Rules, and establish your reference point before lifting or moving a ball. Ask the Committee or a referee when a competition ruling is unclear.
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