Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect – from fairway relief to 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, bringing the total to six new rules starting next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officials, told golf.com these are \”good, sensible outcomes for the highest level of golf.\” These new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization efforts begun in 2019.
Below we outline the new rules and local models and the rationale behind them:
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintended Ball Movement
Under Rule 9.4b, a player receives a penalty stroke if they move a stationary ball and fail to replace it before their next stroke, even if unaware the ball moved or could have moved. The penalty is one stroke, but the player has not played from a wrong place under Rule 14.7a (two strokes) if it is later determined they caused the movement. If the player knows the ball moved, doesn’t replace it, and plays from the new spot, the general penalty under 14.7a applies. This rule was inspired by Shane Lowry’s incident at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush when he unintentionally moved his ball during a practice swing and was subsequently penalized two strokes after video review. Lowry accepted the penalty despite finding it hard to accept.
Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed When Ball Lies in Another Player’s Pitch Mark
Previously, penalty-free relief could be taken only if a ball lay in the player’s own pitch mark. Now, according to Rule 16.3b, relief is allowed if an official confirms the ball lies in a pitch mark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. Repaired pitch marks are excluded from relief even if repaired intentionally or unintentionally. This change follows repeated incidents including one involving Lowry at the 2025 Open, whose relief request was denied when his ball stopped in a pitch mark.
\”Out of Bounds\” Applies Only from Tee Shots
To prevent players from gaining an advantage by using adjacent fairways as shortcuts, areas marked \”Out of Bounds\” with white stakes will now apply only to tee shots. This change addresses scenarios where players previously could not chip back onto fairways due to restrictions, as the rule’s original intent was to discourage shortcutting from the tee.
Relief Allowed for Movable Obstructions on Closely Mown Areas Near Greens
If a ball lies off the green, movable obstructions normally do not warrant relief under Rule 16.1. However, if the closely mown areas near the green are suitable