Whenever playing any game or sport, rules are always the first covered topic. Everyone wants to “get to the fun part” but there are rules to the game. The game of golf can appear a bit complicated from the outside point of view. You are on a golf course, what could possibly be considered a penalty area? How do you play through it? These are common questions and, thankfully, they all have answers.

What are Penalty Areas?

Penalty areas are areas where a ball is either often lost or has unplayable terrain. They are bodies of water or tall grass areas, described by a given Committee during tournaments at that course, as too rough. Depending on the penalty area will depend on the course of action that needs to be taken.

What Counts?

Many players, and viewers of tournaments, question when they know a ball is in a penalty area. Some, such as a ball landing in the water, is obvious. Others, such as rougher edging are a little bit harder to spot. Essentially, if you attempt to locate your ball and see it is inside of the marked penalty zone, your ball is counted as within that area. It does not matter if the ball is only on the edge of the area or deep within: if it is touching the boundary line it counts.

However, you do not have to locate your ball to claim it is in the penalty. Some terrain does not allow for a ball to be found. You do have to know or be certain that it came to rest somewhere in the penalty area prior to taking a relief. That is why it is important to watch your ball closely. Obviously, as with anything in golf, there are unique differences between scenarios of penalty.

Color Codes

Penalty areas are color coded and marked with stakes. This is two-fold: it helps the player recognize the area and it helps indicate the relief they are allowed to take. The colored stakes are either red or yellow.

For both types of stakes, the first option is to simply play the ball again. This is known as “Stroke and Distance Relief.” You play either the original ball (once located) or a new ball (if you can’t find it) from where the previous stroke was made. This then gives you a one stroke penalty. It’s a common choice amongst players: often not wanting to mess with any sort of hazardous area. It’s particularly common when the ball has landed in the water or rough area after the first drive on deck. If your ball goes into penalty while on deck, many save time and simply retrieve the ball and return to the deck. However, this play is not always a good choice when, let’s say, you were off the side of the fairway or in a bunker.

Yellow Stakes

If you are in a yellow staked area, then your form of relief is called “Back-on-the-Line Relief.” This is where you take a drop in the area (away from the penalty) in a reference line straight back from the hole. This can be estimated based on where you believe the ball to have landed, in the chance it can’t be found. You find the spot, find the flag, line up, move back and out of penalty, and then drop the ball. This is a one stroke penalty.

Red Stakes

Red staked areas are usually ponds, rivers, lakes, or some other hazardous area where the ball is irrecoverable. You can use “Stroke and Distance” or “Back-on-the-Line” Relief for these areas. However, for a Red staked area you are granted the additional option of a “two-club length” drop. This is where you determine, roughly, where the ball is located at and move in a line to drop the ball two club lengths from where it crossed the edge of the penalty area. This can be great to get you out of a tight spot. It can also land you in an odd bit of terrain outside of the penalty area. So choose this method wisely. This method also gives you a two-stroke penalty.

Options, Options, Options

There are many different ways to play the penalty areas. Often, it depends on what type of area you are in. If it lands in the drink, you’re not getting it back. If it lands near an area that is deemed a red staked penalty, then it would be better to use a relief that is best suited for that area.

However, due to a rule change in 2019, you are able to play a penalty ball. Now, should you play a penalty ball is a different story. In red areas, mostly no. In a yellow area, it is possible. There are instances of tall grass or when you are merely on the edge of the penalty area, near the fairway but between the stakes, that it is possible to play. If there is debris around your ball, you can now sweep the area gently. This is done by using your club, placing it firmly on the ground, and moving in the area where you are standing and around the ball.

To Play or Pass

Penalty areas are a tricky thing. They are unique to the world of golf, in that, no two areas are alike. What you do for one you cannot do for another. Some areas, you may play and not bother with the extra penalty stroke. Others, you must take the relief. And other’s still will be so aggressive that the only option is to repeat your previous play. Whenever you encounter these areas, it is always best to think in the better play to the green. Yes, you may have a penalty stroke added to your score. However, if that grants you a better vantage point for your next play, then it is better to take the stroke earlier rather than later. If you are only thinking in terms of score, then you run the risk of having more issues than if you would have taken the relief.

Penalty areas are in penalty for a reason. It is not simply a spot out of bounds. It is an area that could run up your score, waste time, waste energy, and create unsafe play. While the player has the final say, it is always best to use good judgement and follow the guidelines put in place by the Committee.