Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, covering relief on fairways, pitchmarks, and club repairs.On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a change regarding preferred lies. Thus, the season starts next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a total of six new rules. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officiating, told golf.com: ‘Good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.’ He explained that these new local model rules, adopted 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 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 stroke, even if they were unaware the ball moved or could have moved. The player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two penalty strokes) if it is later determined they caused the ball’s movement.
If the player notices the ball moving, fails to replace it, and plays from the new position, they receive the general penalty under Rule 14.7a. This new rule arose from an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush, where a practice swing caused minimal ball movement. Officials imposed a two-stroke penalty after video review, which Lowry reluctantly accepted.
Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed When Ball Lies in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, relief without penalty was only granted if the ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. Rule 16.3b now permits penalty-free relief if an official determines the ball lies in a pitchmark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. Repaired pitchmarks remain unaffected by this rule, regardless of repair quality or completeness. This change follows repeated incidents, including one with Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship, where his relief request was denied after his ball landed in a competitor’s pitchmark, leading to frustration.
‘Out of Bounds’ Applies Only from Tees
The rule was modified because players often exploited inside boundary markers (marked by white stakes) to shortcut fairways other than their own. Now, ‘Out of Bounds’ applies only if the ball is played from the tee. This prevents situations where players were obstructed by boundaries and could not chip back to the fairway. The original intention was to stop players from using other fairways off tees to shorten play.
Relief Allowed for Immovable Obstructions on Closely Mown Areas
If the ball is not on the green, immovable obstructions are generally not considered interference, and no relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. However, if the closely mown area where putting is possible includes such obstructions like sprinklers or microphone holes, officials may grant relief if the obstruction interferes with the ball’s line.
Players Can Now Repair Damaged Clubs with Spare Parts During Play
Rule 4.1b(4) was adjusted to allow players to repair damaged clubs on course using components carried in their bags,