Six new PGA Tour rules take effect, covering fairway relief, pitchmarks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a rule change regarding preferred lies. The season opener will feature a total of six new rules starting next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President for Rules and Officiating, told golf.com that these are ‘good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.’ He elaborated that the new local model rules, approved by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization effort of the rulebook initiated in 2019.
New PGA Tour Rules Clarify Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
According to Rule 9.4b, a player receives a one-stroke penalty if they move their stationary ball and fail to replace it before their next stroke, even if they were unaware the ball had moved or could have moved. This penalty is less severe than playing from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two-stroke penalty) if it is later found that they caused the ball movement.
If the player notices the ball has moved but does not replace it and plays from the new spot, the general penalty under Rule 14.7a applies for playing from the wrong place. Even if it is later revealed that the player caused the ball’s movement but believed otherwise, the general penalty still applies.
This rule emerged following an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he inadvertently moved his ball during a practice swing at the 12th hole without realizing it. After the round, officials imposed a two-stroke penalty after review of video evidence. Lowry described the penalty as ‘hard to accept’ but accepted it without dispute.
Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed for Balls Resting in Another Player’s Pitchmark
The next rule change allows players penalty-free relief if their ball rests in a pitchmark made by another player, whereas previously relief was only allowed if the ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. Under Rule 16.3b, officials can grant relief when a ball is in a pitchmark below ground level caused by another player’s shot. Repaired pitchmarks do not qualify for relief regardless of the quality or completeness of the repair. A pitchmark is considered repaired if fixed by a club, other object, foot, or if the greenkeeper has run over it with a mower but a depression remains.
This change follows repeated incidents like Shane Lowry’s at the 2025 Open Championship, where his ball landed in a pitchmark and his relief request was denied, affecting his next shot and causing visible frustration.
Additional Key PGA Tour Rule Changes for 2026 Season
Other significant changes