What is disclosed is a self governing speed control device for controlling the rotation speed of a sprinkler turbine. The device has a housing that houses a viscous fluid. An axle extends into the housing and is configured to rotate in the housing. The axle is fixedly attached to a primary drum that rotates with the axle. One or more hinge pins extends from the primary drum. A brake shoe is positioned on the hinge pin. The hinge pin passes into a slot in an actuation drum configured to rotate on the axle. The brake shoe is configured to expand and contract based on the speed of rotation of the axle in relation to the speed of rotation of the actuation drum.