PGA Tour Rules

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PGA Tour Rules Official Robby Ware prepares the course for the third round of the Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 14, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Ahead of the delayed start to the 2026 season, the PGA Tour informed players of six rule changes that are effective immediately. The updates include several player-friendly adjustments. Plus one that has already sparked discussion across the Tour.

Several of the updates stem from high-profile moments where the application of existing rules led to confusion, frustration, or disproportionate outcomes when compared to the infraction. By addressing these situations, the PGA Tour has shown a willingness to adjust its rulebook to adapt the game to the realities players face.

1. Player Not Considered to Have Played from a Wrong Place When Unaware Ball Moved

If it is determined that a player caused their ball to move but was genuinely unaware of the movement at the time, the penalty will be one stroke, rather than two.

This change follows controversy at the 2025 Open Championship, where Shane Lowry’s practice swing caused a barely perceptible movement of the ball. He was unaware of it at the time, but after viewing the replay he received a two-stroke penalty for the mistake.

2. Expanded Relief for Embedded Balls

Players may now take free relief if their ball becomes embedded in another player’s pitch mark.

Once again, Shane Lowry found himself on the wrong end of the rulebook at the 2025 PGA Championship. His tee shot plugged into a pitch mark, but relief was denied by an official. Forced to play the ball as it lay, Lowry chunked the shot and showed his frustration afterward.

3. Internal Out of Bounds Limited to Tee Shots

The PGA Tour will apply internal out-of-bounds designations only to shots played from the teeing area.

This rule addresses course-specific issues, such as at Waialae Country Club for the Sony Open. Here, internal O.B. prevented players from cutting corners over water off the tee. However, it unintentionally penalized players who later entered those areas from the fairway. Something the Tour has now corrected.

4. Relief from Immovable Obstructions Near the Putting Green

Players may now receive additional relief when immovable obstructions interfere with their line of play near the green. This expansion goes beyond traditional sprinkler-head relief.

The rule now includes damage or holes caused by movable objects that have since been removed, allowing players relief from the apron or fringe when appropriate.

5. Replacement or Repair of Broken Clubs During a Round

Using components from their bag, Players can repair or replace a significantly damaged club mid-round. This is assuming the damage was not intentional.

Previously, replacing a damaged club was technically allowed but difficult to achieve. The new rule simplifies the process while maintaining the 14-club limit. Only components may be swapped, not additional clubs.

6. Preferred Lies Relief Area Reduced

This rule has reduced the relief area from a club length to a scorecard length. All scorecards on the PGA Tour are standard length. This shortens the distance from 46 inches to 11 inches. This rule came in an attempt to get the PGA Tour more on par with other tournaments and tours.

Professional Michael Kim expressed his approval of this change through a post on X.

Great new rule change to the pgatour lift clean and place rule. Instead of a full club length relief, it’s only scorecard relief. Experienced it during DP world tour and thought it was much better. A full club length can really change the angle of a chip shot some times

 

Sydney Jones Sydney Jones is a sports writer covering all things Golf, Mariners, and Seahawks for Heavy.com. She has experience covering the intersection of sports and human interest stories for multiple publications. Originally from Montana, she recently relocated to Seattle and is enjoying the new experience of being surrounding by live professional sports and rooting for a common team while writing about them. More about Sydney Jones

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