Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, covering fairway relief, pitch marks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a change regarding preferred lies, making a total of six new rules that will take effect at the season opener, the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii next week. Steven Rintoul, Vice President of Rules and Officiating for the PGA Tour, told golf.com these are ‘good, reasonable outcomes for the highest level of golf.’ He explained that the new local model rules, approved 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 Unintentional Ball Movements
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 they were unaware the ball moved or could have moved. However, the player is not considered to have played from a wrong place under Rule 14.7a (two-stroke penalty) if it is later found that they caused the ball to move.
If the player noticed the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, the general penalty under Rule 14.7a for playing from the wrong place applies. Similarly, if it is later discovered that the player caused the ball to move but incorrectly believed it did not and failed to replace it, the general penalty also applies.
This rule change was prompted by an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush, where he unintentionally moved the ball during a practice swing at the 12th hole without realizing it. After the round, rules officials reviewed video evidence and assessed a two-stroke penalty. Lowry found the penalty ‘hard to accept’ but accepted it without dispute.
Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitch Mark
The new rule also addresses situations where a player’s ball rests in another player’s pitch mark. Previously, relief without penalty was only permitted if the ball rested in the player’s own pitch mark. Now, under Rule 16.3b, a player may receive penalty-free relief if a rules official determines the ball lies in a pitch mark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. Intentionally or accidentally repaired pitch marks are not covered by this rule and remain as they are, regardless of repair quality.
Repeated occurrences, including another instance at the 2025 Open Championship where Shane Lowry’s ball landed in a pitch mark and his relief request was denied, have highlighted the necessity of this change.
\”Out of Bounds\” Applies Only from the Tee
In response to players frequently seeking advantages by using other holes’ fairways as shortcuts, the rule now