Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect covering fairway relief, pitchmarks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules, adding a sixth change concerning preferred lies. These will take effect starting next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, the PGA Tour’s VP of Rules and Officiating, told golf.com the new rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A from January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rulebook initiated in 2019.
Here we present the new rules and local model rules, explaining the rationale behind the changes:
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 moved or could have moved. However, the player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two penalty strokes) if it is later found they caused the ball’s movement.
If a player notices the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, the general penalty under Rule 14.7a applies for playing from a wrong place. Similarly, if it is later revealed the player moved the ball but mistakenly thought it had not moved and should be replaced, the general penalty applies.
This rule stems from Shane Lowry’s incident at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush, where he slightly moved the ball during a practice swing without noticing. Officials reviewed video footage after the round and assessed a two-stroke penalty. Lowry described the penalty as difficult to accept but accepted it without dispute.
Relief Without Penalty Now Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
The next rule change involves relief when a player’s ball rests in another player’s pitchmark. Previously, penalty-free relief was only permitted if the ball lay in the player’s own pitchmark. Now, under Rule 16.3b, a player may take relief if an official determines the ball is embedded in a pitchmark below ground level made by another player’s shot. However, a repaired pitchmark remains treated as repaired, regardless of quality.
This change responds to repeated incidents, including one involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open where his request for relief was denied. Lowry subsequently missed his approach shot and expressed frustration on the turf where he struck the ball.
‘Out of Bounds’ Applies Only from Tee Shots
Due to players sometimes using fairways from other holes to gain an advantage, internal boundaries marked by white stakes shall only be considered ‘Out of Bounds’ when the ball is played from the tee. Previously, players were often restricted near obstacles by these boundaries and could not chip back. This rule was intended to prevent shortcutting but will now apply only to tee shots.
Relief Possible for Immovable Obstructions on Closely Mown Areas Near Greens
If the ball is not on the green, immovable obstructions ordinarily do not entitle relief under Rule 16.1. However, if the closely mown area resembles putting surfaces, such