Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect – from fairway reliefs and pitchmark rulings to club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a change concerning 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 Refereeing, told golf.com these represent \”good, sensible outcomes for high-level golf.\” He explained these local model rules, adopted by USGA and R&A from January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rulebook initiated in 2019.
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
According to Rule 9.4b, a player incurs a penalty stroke if they move their resting ball and fail to replace it before their next stroke, even if unaware the ball had or could have moved. The player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two penalty strokes) if it later becomes known they caused the movement. However, if the player notices the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, the general penalty applies for playing from a wrong place. This rule arose from Shane Lowry’s incident at the 2025 Open Championship, where he unintentionally moved his ball during a practice swing and later received a two-stroke penalty after review.
Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, penalty-free relief applied only if the ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. Now under Rule 16.3b, a player can take relief if an official confirms the ball lies within a pitchmark caused by another player’s stroke below ground level. Repaired pitchmarks remain ineligible for relief whether they were repaired intentionally or accidentally. This update follows multiple instances, including one involving Lowry at the 2025 Open, where a denied relief led to shot difficulty and visible frustration.
Additional Key PGA Tour Rule Changes for 2026 Season
Other notable changes include “Out of Bounds” areas applying only to tee shots, ensuring internal boundary stakes no longer restrict shot options beyond the tee. Players may now take relief from immovable obstructions on closely mown aprons if such obstructions affect the line of putt, per new Rule 16.1. Club repair rules allow players to carry components like replacement clubheads in their bags and perform on-site repairs without penalty or counting as an extra club. Lastly, the relief area for poor fairway conditions shrinks from one club length (46 inches) to one scorecard length (11 inches), limiting players from overly advantageous placements near the green.
PGA Tour Expands Player Equity Program and Reviews Tournament Schedule
The Tour has expanded its Player Equity Program to include the Top 50 in the FedEx Cup, increasing supported players to over 213 with a total value of around 1.3 billion USD. This initiative rewards current performance and offers long-term equity stakes based on achievements and Player Impact Program influence. A committee led by Tiger Woods is also assessing a revised tournament calendar aimed at being more performance-driven and accessing new markets without reducing event numbers.