Six new PGA Tour rules take effect, covering relief on fairways, pitch marks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a change regarding preferred lies. This brings a total of six new rules starting next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, Vice President of Rules and Officials at the PGA Tour, told golf.com these are \”good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.\” He explained that these new local model rules, approved by the USGA and R&A as of January 1, 2026, continue the modernization process begun in 2019.
Below we present the new rules and local model rules along with their background:
New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
According to 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 the ball had moved or could move, incurring one penalty stroke. However, if it later becomes clear the player caused the ball’s movement, they have not played from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a, two penalty strokes).
If the player notices the ball has moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, they incur the general penalty for playing from the wrong place. Even if it’s later determined the player caused the movement but incorrectly assumed otherwise, the general penalty applies.
This new rule stems from an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush, where during a practice swing at the 12th hole he minimally moved the ball unknowingly. After the round, officials reviewed footage and assessed a two-stroke penalty. Lowry said he found it \”hard to accept\” but accepted it without dispute.
Relief Now Allowed Without Penalty for Ball in Another Player’s Pitch Mark
Previously, free relief was only granted if a ball came to rest in the player’s own pitch mark. Now, under Rule 16.3b, players can take free relief if an official determines the ball lies in a pitch mark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. However, repaired pitch marks remain unaffected by this rule, regardless of repair quality or method. Repairs include those made intentionally or accidentally by clubs, objects, or feet. Pitch marks partially covered even by a mower are considered repaired.
This change follows multiple incidents, including again with Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open, where his relief request was denied and he missed his approach shot, expressing frustration.
“Out of Bounds” Applies Only from the Tee
Many PGA players have used internal boundaries, often marked with white stakes, to shortcut or gain relief by playing from another hole’s fairway. The new rule restricts these boundaries as out of bounds only when the ball is played from the tee. Previously, players faced limitations reaching hazards and had difficulty chipping back onto their fairway due to these boundaries. This adjustment aims to prevent shortcuts only from tee shots.
Additional Key Rule Changes
The rules also now allow relief when a ball lies near immovable obstructions on