Six new PGA Tour rules take effect – from fairway relief and pitchmarks to club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules, adding a sixth rule change concerning preferred lies. The 2026 season opens next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, with these new rules in place. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officiating, told golf.com the changes are \”good, sensible outcomes for the sport at the highest level,\” continuing that these local model rules, effective January 1, 2026 and approved by the USGA and R&A, continue the modernization begun in 2019.
New PGA Tour Rules Modernize Golf Regulations
Rule 9.4b introduces a penalty stroke for players who move a resting ball unintentionally and fail to replace it before their next shot, even if unaware of the movement. The player will not be penalized for playing from the wrong place if it is later known they caused the ball to move. If a player knows the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, they receive the general penalty for playing from the wrong place. This rule arose from an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship, where he unintentionally moved his ball during a practice swing. Officials assessed a two-stroke penalty after reviewing video evidence, which Lowry accepted despite finding it hard to accept.
Additional Key Rule Changes Explained
Rule 16.3b now allows players relief without penalty when their ball lies in another player’s pitch mark below ground level, provided an official confirms it. Previously, relief was only allowed if the ball was in the player’s own pitch mark. Repaired pitch marks do not grant relief. This change stems from repeated incidents, including one involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship.
\”Out of Bounds\” will only apply when a ball is played from the tee, preventing players from gaining advantage by using other fairways mid-hole.
Relief is now allowed for immovable obstructions on closely mowed apron areas around greens if putting could be a common stroke, addressing obstacles like sprinklers or microphone holes.
Rule 4.1b(4) permits players to repair damaged clubs during a round using components from their bags, such as replacement club heads, streamlining repairs without needing to visit the locker room.
The PGA Tour reduces the relief area for poor fairway conditions in preferred lies from one club length (~46 inches) to one scorecard length (~11 inches), aligning with other tours to ensure fairer play.
Further Changes: Expansion of the Player Equity Program
The PGA Tour also expanded its Player Equity Program to include the FedEx Cup top 50, with more than $1 billion distributed to over 200 players. The program rewards current performance and long-term involvement, now covering over 213 players with