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Golf
Have you been applying this common golf rule incorrectly?
TL;DR
Many golfers mistakenly believe they can get free relief from a sprinkler head obstructing their putt. However, the Rules of Golf state that relief is only allowed if the ball touches the sprinkler or it interferes with the player's stance or swing.
Key points
- Sprinkler heads are considered abnormal course conditions.
- Relief is only allowed if the ball touches the sprinkler head.
- Interference must affect the player's stance or swing for relief to be legal.
When there's a sprinkler head between your ball and the green, you may be entitled to free relief â but only in certain circumstances.@USGA
Imagine this scenario: Youâre in a match with your buddies, and one of them hits an approach shot that finished just off the green. The ball is on the fringe and your opponent should be able to putt it. The only problem is, thereâs a sprinkler head directly between his ball and the hole.
In my experience, most golfers assume that because the sprinkler head interferes their line of play, it means they are entitled to free relief. But according to the Rules of Golf, relief in this scenario is not legal.
A sprinkler head falls under an âAbnormal Course Conditionâ (Rules 16.1). And when it comes to this soft of obstruction, relief is only permissible if the ball touches the abnormal course condition or if the abnormal course condition physically interferes with the playerâs area of intended stance or area of intended swing. In the case of a sprinkler head being in the line of your putt from off the green, none of these criteria would be met â and relief would not be legal.
However, if Local Rule F-5 is in place (which is often the case on the PGA Tour), free relief would be granted. According to the local rule, âif the aprons or fringes of putting greens are cut short enough that putting from off the green is likely to be a common choice of stroke, immovable obstructions that are close to the putting green may interfere with such strokes. In that case, the Committee can choose to give an extra relief option under Rule 16.1 when a playerâs ball lies in the general area and an immovable obstruction close to the putting green is on the playerâs line of play.â
So, next time youâre in a match with your buddies, be sure to specify if Local Rule F-5 is in play. If it isnât, you wonât be able to take free relief when a sprinkler head interferes with your putt from off the green.
The post Have you been applying this common golf rule incorrectly? appeared first on Golf.
Q&A
What are the conditions for getting free relief from a sprinkler head in golf?
Free relief from a sprinkler head is only allowed if the ball touches the sprinkler or if it physically interferes with the player's stance or swing.
Can I get relief if a sprinkler head is in my line of putt?
No, relief is not permitted if the sprinkler head is simply in the line of your putt and does not meet the criteria for interference.
What does the Rules of Golf say about abnormal course conditions?
According to the Rules of Golf, abnormal course conditions like sprinkler heads allow for relief only under specific circumstances, primarily when they affect the player's stance or swing.
