What happens if your ball hits the clubhouse?

The situation

Your shot hits a clubhouse wall, pro shop, maintenance shed, or any building on the course and bounces off. You want to know if there's a penalty for the collision and whether you have any relief options.

The rule

Hitting the clubhouse or any building is not a penalty under Rule 11.1a — it is treated like hitting any other immovable structure. Play the ball from wherever it comes to rest. Whether you get free relief depends on how the building is classified in the local rules. If it's an immovable obstruction, you are entitled to free relief if it interferes with your stance or swing (Rule 16.1). If the committee has declared it an integral object (part of the course), there is no free relief — play from where the ball is, however awkward. Check the course's local rules card to know which applies.

Real example

Your approach flies over the green and hits the back wall of the pro shop. It bounces down to rest right against the wall. No penalty for hitting the wall. If the building is an immovable obstruction, you can take free relief from the wall interference. If it's an integral object, play it as it lies or declare it unplayable.

What to do on the course

• No penalty for hitting the building itself
• Check the local rules card: "integral object" = no free relief; "immovable obstruction" = free relief if stance/swing affected
• If the ball is inside the building, most local rules declare this an unplayable situation — take the nearest relief outside
• If you can't play the shot, an unplayable lie (1 stroke) is always available

Penalty

No penalty for hitting the building. Free relief depends on whether it's an immovable obstruction or integral object per local rules.