Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, covering fairway relief, pitch marks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour communicated five new local model rules to players, adding a sixth related to preferred lies. These changes will start with the season opener at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, Vice President of Rules and Officials for the PGA Tour, told golf.com that these are \”good, sensible outcomes for top-level golf.\” These local model rules, approved by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rulebook initiated in 2019.
New Golf Rules Clarify Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
Under Rule 9.4b, a player receives a one-stroke penalty if they move a stationary ball and fail to replace it before their next stroke, even if unaware the ball moved or could have moved. Importantly, the player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two-stroke penalty) if it is later found they caused the ball to move. However, if the player notices the ball has moved and then plays from the new spot without replacing it, the general penalty for playing from the wrong place applies. This new rule was influenced by an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship where he unintentionally moved his ball during a practice swing; officials penalized him two strokes after video review. Lowry accepted the penalty despite finding it hard to accept initially.
Penalty Relief for Ball in Another Player’s Pitch Mark
Previously, free relief was only allowed if the ball came to rest in the player’s own pitch mark. The new Rule 16.3b allows free relief if the ball lies in a pitch mark caused by another player, provided a rules official confirms the ball is below ground level. Repaired pitch marks remain ineligible for relief, regardless of repair method or degree. The rule change follows repeated incidents like Lowry’s at the 2025 Open, when his ball settled in another player’s pitch mark but relief was denied, leading to frustration.
\”Out of Bounds\” Now Only Applies from the Tee
In a move addressing players exploiting out-of-bounds (OB) areas for advantage, the PGA Tour now limits OB designation inside boundaries (often marked with white stakes) to shots played from the tee only. This prevents players from being unfairly restricted when navigating obstacles mid-hole or taking shortcuts onto other fairways, a problem that had occurred frequently. The original intent was to prevent players from gaining unfair ground by starting a hole outside the designated tee box.
Relief for Movable Obstructions on Closely Mown Surrounds
If a ball is not on the green, immovable obstructions generally do not entitle relief (Rule 16.1).