Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect, ranging from fairway reliefs and pitchmarks to club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour informed players of five new local model rules and added a change regarding preferred lies, bringing a total of six new rules starting next week at the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officiating, commented to golf.com: \”Good, sensible outcomes for golf at the highest level.\” He explained that the new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rules process started in 2019.
New PGA Tour Rules on Unintended Ball Movement and Reliefs
Rule 9.4b now clarifies penalties for unintentional ball movements. A player will receive one penalty stroke if they move their stationary ball and fail to restore it before the next stroke, even if unaware the ball moved or could have moved. However, if the player knew the ball moved and plays from the new position without replacing it, they receive the general penalty for playing from a wrong place.
This change was inspired by an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where a minimal ball movement during a practice swing resulted in a two-stroke penalty after video review. Lowry accepted the ruling despite finding the penalty difficult to accept initially.
A further change allows penalty-free relief when a ball lies in another player’s pitchmark under the ground level, according to Rule 16.3b. Previously, relief was only granted if the ball lay in the player’s own pitchmark. Repaired pitchmarks do not qualify for this relief. This rule was also influenced by occurrences at the 2025 Open involving Lowry.
Out of Bounds and Other Fairway Related Rule Changes
Another significant rule revises the definition of \”Out of Bounds\” which will now only apply when the ball is played from the tee. This change addresses situations where players previously used the fairway of another hole to gain an advantage, or were restricted when trying to play back onto the fairway after encountering obstacles near internal boundaries marked by white stakes.
Relief is now also allowed for immovable obstructions on closely mowed apron areas around the green, recognizing the putting applicability of these surfaces. Officials may grant relief if the ball on its line of play is impeded by such obstructions.
Additional Key Changes: Club Repairs and Relief Area Adjustments
Rule 4.1b(4) permits players to repair damaged clubs during a round using components carried in their bag, such as replacement clubheads, improving efficiency and eliminating prior lengthy interruptions.
The relief area for poor fairway conditions is reduced from one club length (~46 inches)