Almost every kind of relief costs one penalty stroke. A yellow penalty area gives you two ways out, a red one gives you three, and an unplayable lie in the general area gives you three. The exceptions are playing a ball as it lies in a penalty area, which is free, and going back on the line outside a bunker, which is two strokes. Lost and out of bounds have a single answer: one stroke, then play again from where you hit the last shot.
The ChartMy ball is... what are my options?
| My ball is... | Your option | Penalty strokes | Where to drop or play from | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In a yellow penalty area | Play it as it lies | None | Play it from where it is, like any ball in the general area. | 17.1b |
| In a yellow penalty area | Stroke and distance | 1 | Play from where you hit the last shot. If that was off the tee, anywhere in the teeing area, and you may tee it. Otherwise drop in a one club-length area around the spot of that shot, no nearer the hole, same area of the course (Rule 14.6). | 17.1d(1) |
| In a yellow penalty area | Back on the line | 1 | Drop on the line behind, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area between you and the hole. No limit on how far back. The spot where the ball first touches the ground makes a one club-length relief area, no nearer the hole than that edge point, not in the same penalty area. | 17.1d(2) |
| In a red penalty area | Play it as it lies | None | Play it from where it is, like any ball in the general area. | 17.1b |
| In a red penalty area | Stroke and distance | 1 | Play from where you hit the last shot. If that was off the tee, anywhere in the teeing area, and you may tee it. Otherwise drop in a one club-length area around the spot of that shot, no nearer the hole, same area of the course (Rule 14.6). | 17.1d(1) |
| In a red penalty area | Back on the line | 1 | Drop on the line behind, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area between you and the hole. No limit on how far back. The spot where the ball first touches the ground makes a one club-length relief area, no nearer the hole than that edge point, not in the same penalty area. | 17.1d(2) |
| In a red penalty area | Lateral relief (red only) | 1 | Drop within two club-lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area. Not nearer the hole than that point, not in the same penalty area. | 17.1d(3) |
| Unplayable, in the general area | Stroke and distance | 1 | Play from where you hit the last shot, as above. You can take this one even if the ball has not been found. | 19.2a |
| Unplayable, in the general area | Back on the line | 1 | Drop on the line behind the spot of the ball, keeping that spot between you and the hole. No limit on how far back. The drop spot makes a one club-length relief area, no nearer the hole than the ball's spot. You must know where the ball lies. | 19.2b |
| Unplayable, in the general area | Lateral relief | 1 | Drop within two club-lengths of the spot of the ball (the spot on the ground directly below it if it is in a tree), not nearer the hole. You must know where the ball lies. | 19.2c |
| Unplayable, in a bunker | Stroke and distance | 1 | Play from where you hit the last shot. | 19.3a |
| Unplayable, in a bunker | Back on the line, in the bunker | 1 | As in the general area, but the ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the bunker. | 19.3a |
| Unplayable, in a bunker | Lateral relief, in the bunker | 1 | As in the general area, but the ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the bunker. | 19.3a |
| Unplayable, in a bunker | Back on the line, outside the bunker | 2 in total | Drop on the line behind the spot of the ball, outside the bunker, with the same one club-length relief area. | 19.3b |
| Out of bounds | Stroke and distance (the only option) | 1 | Play from where you hit the last shot. A ball is out only when all of it is outside the boundary edge. | 18.2b |
| Lost (not found in three minutes) | Stroke and distance (the only option) | 1 | Play from where you hit the last shot. If it is known or virtually certain the ball is in a penalty area, use the penalty area options instead. | 18.2b, 17.1c |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 14.6, Rule 17 (Penalty Areas), Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief, Ball Lost or Out of Bounds) and Rule 19 (Unplayable Ball).
If your ball is unplayable inside a penalty area, Rule 19 does not apply there. Your only relief options are the penalty area options in Rule 17 (Rule 19.1). Players who use a wheeled mobility device get a four club-length lateral area instead of two (Rule 25.4m).
MeasuringWhat a club-length is
A club-length is the length of the longest club among the 14 (or fewer) you carry in the round, other than your putter. You measure the entire club, from the toe to the butt end of the grip. Anything attached to the end of the grip does not count toward the length. So measure with your longest club, not the one you are about to hit. Gear and club terms are in the golf glossary.
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Definitions, "Club-Length".
How to dropFour things to get right
1. You drop it, no one else. Not your caddie, not a playing partner. You can use your original ball or another one (Rules 14.3a and 14.3b(1)).
2. Straight down from knee height. Let go of the ball at the height of your knee when you are standing. It must fall straight down, with no throwing, spinning or rolling, and it must not touch your body or equipment before it hits the ground (Rule 14.3b(2)).
3. Into the relief area. You can stand inside or outside it while you drop. For back-on-the-line relief, you drop on the line, and the spot where the ball lands makes the relief area (Rule 14.3b(3)).
4. It has to stay inside. If a ball dropped the right way comes to rest outside the relief area, drop a second time. If that one also comes to rest outside, place a ball on the spot where the second drop first touched the ground (Rule 14.3c(2)).
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 14.3 (Dropping Ball in Relief Area).
Using itHow to use this cheat sheet
Start with where the ball is, not with what you would like to do. Is it in a penalty area, and what colour are the stakes or lines? In the general area, or in a bunker? Not found at all? Find that block in the chart and pick one option. Stroke and distance is the one option you always have, no matter where the ball is (Rule 18.1).
For back on the line and lateral relief, you need the spot of the ball (or, in a penalty area, the point where it last crossed the edge). Stroke and distance does not need that. It works even if the ball has not been found (Rule 19.2).
Watch forCommon mistakes
Dropping nearer the hole. Every relief area in the chart has a limit that it must not be nearer the hole than its reference point. A ball dropped the right way that rolls to a spot nearer the hole has come to rest outside the relief area, so you drop again.
Taking the lateral option from a yellow penalty area. Lateral relief is for red areas only. Yellow gives you stroke and distance and back on the line.
Calling a ball unplayable in a penalty area. Unplayable ball relief is not allowed there. In a penalty area you use Rule 17 only.
Missing the extra stroke outside the bunker. Back on the line in the bunker costs one. Back on the line outside the bunker is two penalty strokes in total.
Playing from the wrong place. If you play your ball from a wrong place, the general penalty applies. In stroke play that is two penalty strokes (Rules 14.7a and 14.7b).
Giving up on a ball early. A ball is lost only if it has not been found three minutes after the search begins. If a ball is found but you are unsure it is yours, you are allowed a reasonable time to identify it (Rule 18.2a(1)).
For distance devices and what they may do on the course, see the rangefinder rules chart. For strokes on the scorecard, see the strokes received chart.
FAQQuick answers
Where do I drop from a red stake?
A red penalty area gives you three options for one penalty stroke each. You can play again from where you hit the last shot, drop back on the line keeping the point where the ball last crossed the edge between you and the hole, or drop within two club-lengths of that edge point and no nearer the hole. That third one is the lateral option (Rule 17.1d(3)), and it is only for red areas.
How many penalty strokes is an unplayable lie?
One, in the general area, whichever of the three options you pick (Rule 19.2). In a bunker it is also one for stroke and distance and for the two options that keep the ball in the bunker. Going back on the line outside the bunker is two in total (Rule 19.3b). Only the player may decide that their own ball is unplayable (Rule 19.1).
How far can I drop?
It depends on the option. Stroke and distance uses a one club-length area around the spot of the last shot. Back on the line uses a one club-length area around the drop spot, and you can go as far back as you like. Lateral relief uses two club-lengths. A club-length is the length of your longest club other than the putter.
Can I take lateral relief from a yellow stake?
No. Yellow penalty areas have two options, stroke and distance and back on the line. Lateral relief is only for red areas under Rule 17.1d(3). A committee can add local rules. For example, Model Local Rule B-2 lets a committee allow lateral relief on the opposite side of a red penalty area. Check with your club or committee for what applies on your course.
Does a lost ball cost the same as one out of bounds?
Yes. Both are one penalty stroke, and you play again from where you hit the last shot (Rule 18.2b). A ball is lost if it is not found in three minutes after the search begins (Rule 18.2a). If it is known or virtually certain that it is in a penalty area, you use the penalty area options instead (Rule 17.1c).
Can my caddie or playing partner drop the ball for me?
No. Under Rule 14.3b(1) only the player may drop the ball. The Rules make a separate allowance for some players with certain disabilities. If a ball is dropped the wrong way, it must be dropped again, and there is no limit to the number of times (Rule 14.3b(4)).