Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect – easing fairway play, pitch marks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a sixth regarding preferred lies. The season opener at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, next week will mark the start of these changes. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Senior Vice President of Rules and Refereeing, told golf.com that these are \”good, sensible outcomes for elite-level golf.\” They continue the modernization efforts of the rules launched in 2019, with the USGA and R&A adopting these local model rules effective January 1, 2026.
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties 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 their next stroke, even if unaware that the ball had moved or could have moved. The player is not penalized for playing from a wrong place under Rule 14.7a (two strokes) if it later emerges that they caused the ball to move. However, if the player was aware the ball moved and does not replace it before playing from the new spot, they incur the general penalty for playing from the wrong place. This new rule was inspired by Shane Lowry’s 2025 Open Championship incident at Royal Portrush, where he unintentionally moved his ball during a practice swing. Officials reviewed TV footage and applied a two-stroke penalty, which Lowry accepted despite finding it hard to accept.
Penalty-Free Relief When Ball Lies in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, penalty-free relief was only allowed if the ball lay in the player’s own pitchmark. Under new Rule 16.3b, relief is granted if an official confirms the ball rests below ground level in a pitchmark caused by another player’s stroke. Repaired pitchmarks, regardless of how or by whom repaired, remain unaffected by this rule. This change follows multiple occurrences, including again involving Lowry at the 2025 Open when his ball rested in another player’s pitchmark and relief was denied, resulting in a missed approach shot and visible frustration.
\”Out of Bounds\” Applies Only from the Tee
To prevent players from gaining advantages by using adjacent fairways as shortcuts, inside boundary lines marked by white stakes traditionally indicated out of bounds. The new rule restricts this designation to shots made from the tee only. Previously, players encountered restrictions when trapped by boundary stakes near obstacles, limiting their shot options. This change aims to focus the out-of-bounds penalty solely on tee shots.
Additional Key Rule Changes on Course and Equipment
Unmovable obstructions on closely mown fringe areas can now be considered hindrances, allowing players relief if their ball is on the putting line, per new interpretations