What must a player do if their ball lands in a penalty area?

When a player's ball lands in a penalty area, the rules of golf provide options for how to proceed. One of the key choices available to the player is to take a drop, which allows them to place the ball in a specific manner to continue their play. This action reflects an understanding of the rules that govern penalty areas, where players are often permitted to drop a ball outside the penalty area under certain conditions, usually at the cost of a stroke.

In this scenario, taking a drop typically means that the player can drop the ball within two club lengths of the nearest point of relief, or in a designated drop zone, if available, while adhering to the rules regulating the specific penalty area. This gives the player a fair chance to continue playing the hole while managing the potential consequences of their previous shot landing in a challenging position.

The alternative options would require specific circumstances that do not universally apply to every penalty area situation. For instance, playing the ball as it lies might not be advisable if the location poses risks or offers limited playability, and placing the ball in a different location without dropping as prescribed is against the rules. Re-hitting from the tee generally does not apply to penalty areas unless specified by the conditions of play for that hole, such as