My Golf Ball Is in a Penalty Area. Now What?

Whether your golf ball is in a red penalty area or yellow penalty area, Knowing when and how you can take relief can help you avoid unnecessary penalty strokes.

Penalty areas can create some of the most confusing moments during a round of golf. Before you continue play or decide how to proceed, make sure you know your options under the Rules of Golf. Refer to page 54 of Where's the Golf Ball.

Where's the Golf Ball? The Rules of Golf Simplified from Tee to Green makes it easy to find the right answer based on where your golf ball is. With simple language, helpful illustrations, and real on-course scenarios, it's designed to help golfers of every skill level play with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.

Join golfers around the world who are keeping Where's the Golf Ball? in their bag so the answer is always within reach.

(C) 2026, Where's the Golf Ball? The Rules of Golf Simplified from Tee to Green by BrookeLin Powers, Award-Winning Author, LPGA Class A Professional, TPI Certified. Conforms to the Current USGA and R&A Rules of Golf.