Six New PGA Tour Rules Kick Off 2026 Season Modernizing the Game

Six new PGA Tour rules come into effect – easing fairway relief, pitchmarks, 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 season opener in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven Rintoul, the PGA Tour’s Vice President of Rules and Refereeing, told golf.com that these \”are good, sensible outcomes for the game at the highest level.\” He explained that these new local model rules, adopted by the USGA and R&A for January 1, 2026, continue the modernization of the rules initiated in 2019.

New Golf Rule Clarifies Penalties for Unintentional Ball Movement

According to Rule 9.4b, a player incurs a one-stroke penalty if they move their resting ball and fail to replace it before their next stroke, even if unaware that the ball had moved or could move. The player does not play from a wrong place (Rule 14.7a – two penalty strokes) if it is later discovered they caused the ball to move. However, if the player realizes the ball moved, fails to replace it, and plays from the new spot, they incur the general penalty under Rule 14.7a. The rule change was inspired by an incident involving Shane Lowry at the 2025 Open Championship in Royal Portrush, where a practice swing caused minimal ball movement unnoticed at the 12th hole. Officials assessed a two-stroke penalty after reviewing video footage. Lowry found the penalty \”hard to accept\” but accepted it without dispute.

Penalty-Free Relief Now Allowed for Ball in Another Player’s Pitchmark

Previously, penalty-free relief could only be taken if a ball rested in the player’s own pitchmark. Under new Rule 16.3b, a player is entitled to relief if a rules official confirms the ball is in a pitchmark below ground level caused by another player’s strike. Repaired pitchmarks, whether repaired intentionally or accidentally with a club, foot, or equipment, do not entitle a player to relief. Even if the greenkeeper has passed over the pitchmark with a mower but a depression remains visible, it counts as repaired. This change follows repeated cases, including Shane Lowry’s at the 2025 Open, where he was denied relief after his ball landed in another player’s pitchmark and subsequently missed his approach shot, expressing frustration.

\”Out of Bounds\” Now Applies Only from the Tee

To prevent players from gaining advantages by shortcutting through other holes’ fairways, inside boundaries usually marked by white stakes are now only considered \”Out of Bounds\” if the ball is played from the tee. Previously, these boundaries could restrict players mid-hole, limiting shot options and potentially forcing difficult plays. This rule revision aims to discourage