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 sixth change regarding preferred lies. These six new rules will come into force next week at the season opener, the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President for Rules and Officiating, told golf.com the changes represent \”good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.\” He explained that the local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A starting January 1, 2026, continue the modernization process initiated in 2019.
New Rule Clarifies Penalties for Accidental 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. This results in a penalty stroke. However, playing from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two penalty strokes) does not apply if it is later determined the player caused the ball movement.
If the player notices a stationary ball has moved but does not replace it and plays from the new spot, they incur the general penalty under Rule 14.7a for playing from the wrong place. Similarly, if it is later revealed a player moved the ball and mistakenly thought they did not have to replace it, the general penalty applies.
This new rule was prompted by an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush, where a practice swing at hole 12 caused his ball to move slightly, unnoticed by him. After the round, officials reviewed video evidence and assessed a two-stroke penalty. Lowry described the penalty as \”hard to accept\” but accepted it without dispute.
Penalty-Free Relief Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, penalty-free relief applied only if the ball lay in the player’s own pitchmark. Under new Rule 16.3b, a player may now take relief if an official determines the ball rests in a pitchmark below ground level made by another player’s shot. Repaired pitchmarks remain unaffected by this rule regardless of repair quality. For example, a pitchmark fixed by a club, object, foot, or even mowed over but still visibly depressed counts as repaired.
Repeated incidents, including Lowry’s at the 2025 Open where his ball landed in a pitchmark and officials denied relief, have drawn attention to this rule’s update. Lowry subsequently missed his approach shot and expressed frustration on the turf.
\”Out of Bounds\” Applies Only from the Tee
The new rule limits out-of-bounds (often marked by white stakes) to balls played from the tee. Previously, players sometimes used fair