Six new PGA Tour rules take effect, covering relief on fairways, pitchmarks and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules, adding a sixth rule change regarding preferred lies. These rules will start with the season opener at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officials, told golf.com that these are \”good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.\” The new local model rules, approved by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization process initiated in 2019.
Below, we present the new rules and local model rules with the reasoning behind each decision:
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
Under Rule 9.4b, a player incurs a one-stroke penalty if they move their stationary ball and fail to replace it before the next stroke, even if unaware the ball had moved or could have moved. The player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a, two-stroke penalty) if it is later found they caused the movement. However, if the player noticed the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, the general penalty for playing from the wrong place applies. This new rule stems from an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where a practice swing at the 12th hole caused a minimal ball movement unnoticed by Lowry. Officials imposed a two-stroke penalty after video review. Lowry accepted the penalty despite finding it difficult to accept.
Penalty Relief Now Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
The next change affects relief when a ball rests in another player’s pitchmark. Previously, free relief applied only if the ball was in the player’s own pitchmark. Now, under Rule 16.3b, free relief is given if an official determines the ball is in a pitchmark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. Repaired pitchmarks, regardless of repair quality, are not considered for relief. This includes those repaired by club, object, foot or field maintenance like mowers. Recent incidents, including at the 2025 Open Championship involving Shane Lowry, highlighted controversies where officials denied relief requests for balls in pitchmarks caused by others, frustrating players.
\”Out of Bounds\” Designation Limited to Tee Shots
To prevent players from gaining unfair advantages by cutting across fairways of other holes, inside boundaries marked by white stakes will be considered out of bounds only when the ball is played from the tee. Previously, players were restricted within those boundaries at any point, sometimes unable to chip back onto their fairway after encountering a hazard. This rule change restores the original intent to limit the use of adjacent fairways only from tee shots.
Relief Allowed for Immovable Obstacles on Closely Mown Areas Near Greens
If a ball lies off the green, immovable obstacles generally do not provide relief under Rule 16.1. However, if the closely mown areas near the green (such as the fringe) are maintained so that putting is a viable stroke, immovable objects like sprinklers or microphone holes