Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, covering fairway relief, pitch marks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour communicated five new local model rules to players and added a rule change regarding preferred lies. This means the season will start next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a total of six new rules. Steven Rintoul, the PGA Tour’s Vice President for Rules and Officiating, told golf.com: ‘Good, reasonable outcomes for the highest level of golf.’ He explained that the new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rulebook initiated in 2019.
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintended Ball Movement
According to Rule 9.4b, a player receives a penalty stroke if they move their stationary ball and fail to replace it before their next shot, even if unaware the ball moved or could have moved. The player is not deemed to have played from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two penalty strokes) if later discovered they caused the movement. However, if the player notices the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new position, they incur the general penalty for playing from the wrong place. This rule originated from an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush when he accidentally moved his ball during a practice swing. After review using video evidence, officials assessed a two-stroke penalty, which Lowry accepted despite initial difficulty.
Relief Now Allowed for Ball Lying in Another Player’s Pitch Mark
The next rule change affects situations where a player’s ball rests in another player’s pitch mark. Previously, free relief was only granted if the ball lay in its own pitch mark. Now, per Rule 16.3b, a player may obtain free relief if an official determines the ball rests in a pitch mark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. Repaired pitch marks remain unaffected regardless of repair quality. This update follows repeated occurrences, including Shane Lowry’s denied relief at the 2025 Open Championship, which frustrated him after he missed his next shot.
Out of Bounds Limited to Tee Shots
The definition of ‘Out of Bounds’ now applies only when the ball is played from the tee. This addresses past exploitation where players used adjacent fairways for shortcuts or relief. Previously, inner boundary stakes could limit shot options near obstacles, preventing players from chipping back to the fairway. The updated rule restricts Out of Bounds designations to tee shots only.
Additional Rule Changes: Relief on Closely Mown Areas and Club Repairs
If a ball lies off the green, immovable obstructions usually do not entitle the player to relief. However, if areas around the green are closely mown and