Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, covering fairway relief, pitchmarks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour notified players of five new local model rules and added a change concerning preferred lies, totaling six new rules set to launch with next week’s Sony Open season opener in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President for Rules and Officials, told golf.com these are \”good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.\” The USGA and R&A approved the new local model rules effective January 1, 2026, continuing the modernization effort started in 2019.
Below we outline the new rules and their rationale:
New Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movements
Under Rule 9.4b, a player receives a penalty stroke if they move a resting ball and fail to replace it before the next stroke, even if unaware the ball had moved or could have moved. The player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two strokes) if it is later found they caused the movement. If the player noticed the ball 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. This change follows a 2025 Open Championship incident involving Shane Lowry, whose ball moved slightly during a practice swing; officials assessed a two-stroke penalty after video review. Lowry accepted the penalty despite finding it difficult.
Penalty Relief Now Allowed if Ball Lies in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, free relief applied only when a ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. Now, per Rule 16.3b, a player may take relief without penalty if an official determines the ball lies in a pitchmark caused by another player’s stroke below ground level. Pitchmarks that have been repaired, intentionally or accidentally, do not qualify for relief regardless of repair quality. This rule addresses recurring issues, including an incident with Lowry during the 2025 Open when his relief request was denied after his ball landed in a competitor’s pitchmark, leading to a missed shot and visible frustration.
“Out of Bounds” Applies Only from the Tee
Due to players seeking advantages, inner boundary markers (often white stakes) will mark out of bounds only when the ball is played from the tee. Previously, some players used other holes’ fairways as shortcuts, creating situations where players could not chip back due to out-of-bounds restrictions. The change limits the out-of-bounds to tee shots, preventing unfair shortcuts but avoiding undue restrictions during play.
Relief Possible from Immovable Obstructions on Closely Mown Areas Near Greens
If the ball is not on the green, immovable obstructions generally do not entitle relief per Rule 16.1. However, if the area near the green is closely mown to allow putting, immovable obstructions such as sprinklers or microphone holes can interfere with the stroke. Officials may now grant relief under Rule 16.1 if the ball lies on the intended line of play and is obstructed.