Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, ranging from fairway relief and pitchmark adjustments to club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a sixth change concerning preferred lies. The season opener at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii, will feature these six new rules starting next week. Steven Rintoul, Vice President of Rules and Officiating for the PGA Tour, told golf.com: \”Good, sensible outcomes for top-level golf.\” He explained that these new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rulebook initiated in 2019.
New Rules Clarify 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 that the ball moved or could have moved. The player does not incur a penalty for playing from the wrong place (rule 14.7a – two strokes) if it later becomes apparent they caused the movement. However, if the player notices the ball moved, does not replace it, and plays from the new spot, the general penalty for playing from the wrong place applies.
This rule arose after Shane Lowry inadvertently moved his ball during a practice swing at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Officials imposed a two-stroke penalty after video review, which Lowry found hard to accept but accepted without dispute.
Penalty-Free Relief Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, penalty-free relief applied only if the ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. Now, under rule 16.3b, players may receive relief if officials confirm the ball lies in a pitchmark below ground level caused by another player’s stroke. Intentionally repaired pitchmarks, or those repaired accidentally or by course maintenance, no longer qualify for relief.
Incidents, including one involving Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship, highlighted the need for this change after officials denied relief, leading to Lowry missing a shot and visibly expressing frustration.
‘Out of Bounds’ Now Applies Only from the Tee
To prevent players from gaining unfair shortcuts by using another hole’s fairway, inside boundaries previously marked as \”Out of Bounds\” now apply solely when the ball is played from the tee. This aims to prevent players being overly constrained near obstacles by these boundaries during subsequent shots.
Additional Rule Updates
Other changes include allowing relief from immovable obstructions on closely mown aprons when putting is typical, permitting players to repair damaged clubs on the course using spare parts carried in their bags, and reducing relief areas on poor fairways from one club length to a scorecard length to