Six new PGA Tour rules take effect – from fairway relief to pitch marks and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and extended the changes with an additional rule adjustment for preferred lies. This brings the total to six new rules starting next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President for Rules and Refereeing, told golf.com that these are ‘good, reasonable outcomes for golf at the highest level.’ He added that the new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A from January 1, 2026, continue the modernization that began in 2019.
Clarified Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
Under Rule 9.4b, a player incurs a one-stroke penalty if they move their stationary ball and fail to replace it before the next stroke, even if unaware the ball moved or could have moved. The player is not considered to have played from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two strokes penalty) if it later becomes known that they caused the movement.
If a player realizes the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new location, they incur the general penalty under Rule 14.7a for playing from a wrong place. Also, if it is later confirmed the player caused the ball movement but assumed incorrectly that they did not need to replace it, the general penalty applies.
This rule was prompted by a 2025 Open Championship incident involving Shane Lowry at Royal Portrush, who accidentally moved the ball during a practice swing without noticing. After the round, officials imposed a two-stroke penalty after video review, which Lowry accepted despite finding it ‘hard to accept.’
Free Relief Now Allowed When Ball Lies in Another Player’s Pitch Mark
The next change concerns when a ball rests in another player’s pitch mark. Previously, free relief was only allowed if the ball lay in the player’s own pitch mark. Now, under Rule 16.3b, a player may take free relief if an official determines the ball lies in a pitch mark below ground level created by another player’s stroke. Repaired pitch marks, however, do not qualify for relief regardless of repair quality or completeness. Repairs can be made with a club, foot, or other means. Even if a greenkeeper has crossed the pitch mark with equipment but a depression remains visible, it is considered repaired.
This change comes following repeated occurrences and notably when Shane Lowry’s ball landed in a pitch mark during the 2025 Open, with officials denying his relief request, leading to a missed approach shot and visible frustration.
“Out of Bounds” Applies Only From Tee Shot
To curb players gaining unfair advantages by using fairways of other holes as shortcuts, inside boundaries usually marked by white stakes will now be considered ‘