Six new PGA Tour rules take 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 regarding preferred lies. These rules will debut next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, marking the season opener. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officiating, told golf.com these are ‘good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.’ The new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A from January 1, 2026, continue the modernization process of the rules initiated in 2019.
Below we outline the new rules and local model rules and explain the reasoning behind these updates:
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movements
Under Rule 9.4b, a player receives a one-stroke penalty if they move their resting ball and fail to replace it before the next stroke, even if unaware that the ball moved or could have moved. However, the player is not considered to have played from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two strokes) if it later emerges they caused the ball movement.
If the player noticed the resting ball moved, did not replace it, and played from the new spot, the standard penalty under Rule 14.7a applies for playing from the wrong place. Also, if the player incorrectly believed they did not move the ball and failed to replace it, the standard penalty applies. This rule stems from an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he unintentionally moved his ball during a practice swing. Officials reviewed video evidence post-round and assessed a two-stroke penalty. Lowry accepted the penalty despite finding it hard to accept.
Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
The next change concerns when a player’s ball rests in another player’s pitchmark. Previously, relief without penalty was only allowed if the ball was in the player’s own pitchmark. Now, under Rule 16.3b, a player is allowed penalty-free relief if an official confirms the ball is in a pitchmark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. However, repaired pitchmarks—whether intentional or accidental and regardless of repair quality—do not qualify. This includes marks repaired by a club, object, or foot, or even if the greenkeeper has passed over the area with a mower but a depression remains.
Repeated incidents, including Shane Lowry’s during the second round of the 2025 Open Championship, where his request for relief was denied after his ball landed in a pitchmark, inspired this rule change. Lowry missed his next shot and expressed frustration over the decision.
“Out of Bounds” Applies Only When Ball Is Played from the Tee
To prevent players from gaining advantages by using other holes’ fairways as shortcuts, inside boundaries marked by white stakes will now only be considered Out of Bounds if the ball is played from the tee. Previously, players were sometimes restricted from playing back onto fairways due to such boundaries near obstacles like trees. This change limits the Out of Bounds designation to tee shots, addressing earlier concerns.