Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, covering fairway relief, pitchmarks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour announced five new local sample rules to players, expanding changes with a preferred lies rule. The 2026 season will open next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu with these six new rules. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President for Rules and Refereeing, told golf.com that these represent positive, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level. The USGA and R&A approved these local rules effective January 1, 2026, continuing the modernization initiated in 2019.
Below, we outline the new rules and their background:
New Penalty Clarification for Unintentional Ball Movement
Under Rule 9.4b, a player receives a penalty stroke if they move their stationary ball and fail to replace it before the next stroke, unaware that the ball moved or could have moved. This results in one penalty stroke, not playing from the wrong place (two strokes under Rule 14.7a), even if later found the player caused the movement.
If a player notices the ball moved but does not replace it and plays from the new spot, the standard penalty applies. This rule originated from Shane Lowry’s 2025 Open Championship incident, where a slight ball movement during a practice swing led to a two-stroke penalty after video review.
Relief Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Rule 16.3b now permits penalty-free relief if a ball rests in a pitchmark made by another player below ground level, confirmed by an official. Previously, relief was allowed only if the ball was in its own pitchmark. Repaired pitchmarks remain treated as repaired regardless of how thoroughly they were fixed.
This change follows repeated incidents, including again with Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open, whose relief request was denied when his ball landed in another player’s pitchmark.
\”Out of Bounds\” Applies Only from Tee
The \”Out of Bounds\” designation now applies to inside boundaries only when the ball is played from the tee. This change prevents players from being unfairly restricted by boundaries when navigating obstacles during play, allowing more practical shot options after the tee shot.
Relief for Immovable Obstacles on Closely Mown Aprons
If a ball is not on the green, immovable obstacles usually don’t entitle players to relief. However, if the closely mown apron is suitable for putting, obstacles like sprinklers or microphone holes may cause interference. Officials can grant relief under the updated Rule 16.1 if the ball lies on the line of play.
Players Can Repair Damaged Clubs Using Parts from Bag
Under revised Rule 4.1b(4