Sprinkler Head Ruling

shane0007

Hi, played in stroke play competition today. I was on the fringe of the green about 5 ft from the hole. Between my ball & the hole was a sprinkler head about 6" from my ball.
If there was no sprinkler head, I would have putted the ball. As the sprinkler head was there, I elected to chip over the sprinkler. One of the other players said I could take a relief drop without penalty. I thought as the fringe was classed as fairway & the sprinkler head was not affecting my stance, my only choice was to chip over it. This I did in case this was the correct option.
Was I correct or could I have taken relief without penalty? The sprinkler head was in a bit of a hole & not flush with the surrounding ground.
I can't seem to find anything in the rules book that would emulate this scenario.

slave1

Others will chip in but I believe you have to be within a club length (or two?) of the putting surface to gain the relief you outline...

shane0007

Ball was within a club length of the putting surface.

BTW, I just sent you a PM on adverts.

ForeRight

You were right. You're not entitled to relief.

Golfgraffix

Pretty much sure it is covered under the immovable obstruction rule and needs to be effecting your stance and/or swing but there is relief if you are on the green.

I guess it could be allowed by a local rule.

J

slave1

Well explained here, no relief unless local rule as outlined by GG
http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/rfaq_sprinkputt.htm

shane0007

Thanks, yes that seems to be the correct ruling. I checked the local rules on the back of a scorecard & no mention of it, so it must not be a local rule for my club.
Really glad now I aired on the side of caution.

spacecoyote

Yeah, my understanding is you have relief if it impeeds your stance, but not if it's on your line

Miley Byrne

The pros do get relief as far as I know. If the sprinkler is within 2 clublengths of the green and the ball is within 2 clublengths of the sprinkler they are entitled to relief.