An irrigation sprinkler includes an outer case, a riser telescopically extensible from the outer case, and a nozzle at an upper end of the riser. A coil spring surrounds the riser and normally holds the riser in a lower retracted position within the outer case. The coil spring is dimensioned and configured to permit extension of the riser to a raised upper position when pressurized water is introduced into the outer case. A shock absorber is positioned between a lower end of the riser and a rigid structure in the lower end of case for lessening the forces otherwise exerted on the riser during rapid retraction of the riser.