As the 2026 season begins, the PGA Tour has introduced some interesting modifications to its local rules which are designed to evolve the regulations and generally improve the game for players.
Here is a breakdown of the key rule changes effective this season:
Modification for preferred lies
Perhaps the most visible change for viewers involves ‘preferred lies’. Previously, players could move the ball one club length in any direction but now the relief area has significantly reduced. The new rule restricts the relief area to one scorecard length and applies only to closely mown areas.
Steve Rintoul (PGA Tour’s Vice President of Rules and Officiating) explains that this decision was driven by the improved agronomic conditions of modern tour courses. He argued that giving a player a nearly 92-inch wide area to find a lie was unnecessary given the quality of today’s fairways. This change also aligns the PGA Tour with the DP World Tour standards.
The Shane Lowry rule
This new change which was triggered at the 2025 Open at Royal Portrush when Lowry was penalised after his ball moved during his practise swing. Despite being unaware of the infraction, Lowry received a two-shot penalty.
Now, the penalty for a player who causes their ball to move but is unaware of the movement has been reduced from two strokes to one stroke. This rule addresses situations where a player has no knowledge that their ball moved and, consequently, no reason to replace it.
Broken or damaged clubs
Rules regarding equipment have been updated to allow for easier repair. A component carried by a player or another person (such as an extra clubhead) may now be used as a replacement for a broken or damaged club. This is permissible only when the damaged club is eligible for replacement under current local rules.
Additional relief updates
Pitch-mark relief
If a player’s ball is embedded in a pitch mark made by another player, relief may now be available but players must consult a referee to make this determination.
2 & 2 relief
Holes in closely mown areas that are treated as ground under repair by a referee are now included in “2 & 2 relief,” treating them the same as an obstruction.
Internal out of bounds
Players are advised to check the “Notice to Players” weekly, as internal out of bounds rules may now be specific to strokes made from the teeing area only.
Looking ahead: WM Phoenix Open (5th-8th February)
These changes have already come into effect and the fifth tournament of the year is the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on 5th February. Defending champion Thomas Detry will face a stacked field, headlined by World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who opens as the favourite at 11/4. However, the biggest storyline is the return of Brooks Koepka to a regular tour event, currently sitting at 30/1 odds.
To weigh the potential returns on these contenders with such varied odds, we suggest using a free bet calculator. Let’s see if the new rule changes will add another layer of drama to the ‘Greatest Show on Grass’.
