Six new PGA Tour rules take effect, covering fairway relief, pitchmarks, and club repairs.
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour announced five new local model rules to players, adding a sixth related to preferred lies. These rules come into effect at the season opener, the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, PGA Tour Vice President of Rules and Officiating, told golf.com that the changes represent a reasonable modernization continuing efforts begun in 2019, as approved by the USGA and R&A effective January 1, 2026.
Here is an overview of the new rules and their background:
New Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement
Under Rule 9.4b, a player incurs a one-stroke penalty if they move their stationary ball and fail to replace it before the next stroke, even if unaware the ball moved. The player is not deemed to have played from a wrong place (which incurs a two-stroke penalty) if it is later found they caused the movement. However, if the player realizes the ball moved and does not replace it before playing from the new spot, the general penalty for playing from the wrong place applies.
This rule emerged following an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he inadvertently moved his ball during a practice swing. Officials imposed a two-stroke penalty after reviewing video evidence. Lowry found the penalty hard to accept but accepted it without dispute.
Penalty-Free Relief for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark
Previously, relief without penalty was available only if the ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. The new Rule 16.3b allows relief if an official determines the ball lies in a pitchmark created by another player below ground level. A repaired pitchmark does not qualify for relief, regardless of how well or poorly it was repaired. This change responds to recurring issues, including another at the 2025 Open, where Lowry’s ball settled in a pitchmark and his relief request was denied, leading to a missed approach shot and visible frustration.
‘Out of Bounds’ Now Only Applies from the Tee
To prevent players from seeking unfair advantages by crossing fairways, internal out-of-bounds boundaries marked by white stakes now apply only when the ball is hit from the tee. Previously, players were sometimes restricted by such boundaries even when approaching obstacles, limiting recovery shots. This clarification confines the out-of-bounds rule to tee shots only.
Relief Allowed for Immovable Obstructions on Closely Mown Aprons
While movable obstructions typically do not provide relief when the ball is off the green, if the apron or fringe is mown closely enough to allow putting as a standard shot, immovable obstructions such as sprinklers or microphone holes may now