Rules question · Rule 16.1a · Hard
Announcing a left-handed stroke so a sprinkler head interferes: is there relief?
You are right-handed and your ball is in a bad lie. Nothing interferes with a right-handed stroke, but for a left-handed one you would be standing on a sprinkler head. You announce that you will play left-handed. Do you get free relief?
Answer
No, you play the ball as it lies or take unplayable ball relief for one penalty stroke
If you choose a stroke only to get relief, it is clearly unreasonable and you get no relief. You can play the ball as it lies or take unplayable ball relief for one penalty stroke. The same applies to a stance, direction of play or club that you choose only for that reason.
Based on: Rule 16.1a(3), Clarification 16.1a(3)/2