Your ball is beside a sprinkler head. One buddy says you get two club-lengths, the next says you have to hit it. Classic course chaos.
When is free relief available?
A fixed sprinkler head is usually an immovable obstruction. Under Rule 16.1, if it physically interferes with your ball, intended stance or area of intended swing in the general area, free relief is generally available.
How to drop correctly
- Find the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole.
- Measure one club-length from that point in the general area, no nearer the hole.
- Drop from knee height and make sure the ball stays within the relief area and there is no remaining interference.
What if it is only in your putting line?
Outside the putting green, a sprinkler head merely on your line of play does not automatically qualify for free relief. Some courses use a local rule for additional line-of-play relief near putting greens, so check before lifting your ball.
Fore Alarm takeaway: Free relief isn't a free upgrade to a better lie. Know the rule, embrace the chaos, and save the arguments for your buddy's scorecard.
Source: Official USGA guidance on immovable obstructions.
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