Rules of Golf: The Sprinkler Head

Your ball is just off the green and you would like to putt but a sprinkler head lies between your ball and the green. Are you entitled to relief as your ball will clearly hit the sprinkler head?

It is a situation we've probably all encountered at some stage but what is the answer?

No.

No, you are not entitled to a free drop but you would be entitled to a free drop if your ball was resting on the sprinkler head or if it was affecting your normal swing or stance.  

This is dealt with under Rule 24-2: Immovable Obstruction, but some golf courses have local rules in place which would allow relief if the sprinkler head is within two club lengths of the green. For example, Werribee Park Golf Club have dealt with it nicely in their local rules.

Yet another reason to know the local rules before you tee off.

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