Do you get relief from a sprinkler head?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Free relief
Penalty: None
Do you get relief from a sprinkler head?
PenaltyNone· under Rule 16.1
What to do
- 1Confirm the sprinkler head interferes with your lie, stance, or swing, not just your view.
- 2Find the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, clear of the head.
- 3Drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
- 4Play on with no penalty.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 16.1), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
Get better at golf, one email at a time
Join the newsletter for new beginner guides, honest gear reviews, and tips that actually lower your scores. No spam, ever.