6 rules changes the PGA Tour is enacting in 2026
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rulie
Head Pro
Interesting that 5 of those 6 changes are the result of the R&A and USGA recently (January 1, 2026) announced changes/additions to authorized Model Local Rules. The other one is limiting the "relief" distance for lift, clean and place to one scorecard length from one club-length.
Steven Rules
Well-known member
Yes.
To my naked eye, though, the 'simple terms' and 'nitty gritty' for Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green in the article have missed the substance of the change.
The substantive change in the Additional Clarifications and in the new Model Local Rule F-5 is that the Committee can now modify the Local Rule to also provide line of play relief from ground under repair (close to the putting green) and can limit relief to only specific areas or specific types of ground under repair. Previously relief under this Model Local Rule was only available for interference from immovable obstructions.
I wish the change had been extended to include all abnormal course conditions, not just immovable obstructions and GUR.
To my naked eye, though, the 'simple terms' and 'nitty gritty' for Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green in the article have missed the substance of the change.
The substantive change in the Additional Clarifications and in the new Model Local Rule F-5 is that the Committee can now modify the Local Rule to also provide line of play relief from ground under repair (close to the putting green) and can limit relief to only specific areas or specific types of ground under repair. Previously relief under this Model Local Rule was only available for interference from immovable obstructions.
I wish the change had been extended to include all abnormal course conditions, not just immovable obstructions and GUR.
doublebogey7
Head Pro
I've not yet had chance to look at the changes, but would extending it to TW not lead the perverse situation of getting relief from line of play for TW that was just off the green, that could easily be chipped over, but not for TW that was on the green, that could not be.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
IMO they should restrict the use of lift, clean and place. Too often you see it being used just because it has been raining a bit, no mud anywhere on the course at all. Makes the players look like pampered princesses.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Reading through the changes, the one about having spare clubheads in the bag seems a bit daft. I'm sure caddies will be well happy having to lug spare bits of clubs around, just in case their player damages a club.
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Agree, I can’t see players stuffing several spare heads and a bunch of shafts into the bag. More likely a buggy could be used as a breakdown service for top players (while the rank and file player can whistle)
Breakages on tour must be happening far more than I’m noticing for them to think this even needed to be tweaked!
Steven Rules
Well-known member
No.
As currently (and previously) written, line of play relief is avaiable if the condition (i.e. immovable obstruction, or potentially GUR) is on, or within two club lengths of, the putting green and the ball is within two club lengths of the immovable obstruction (or GUR).
If the MLR was extended to encompass temporary water, then the player would get line of play relief if their ball was just off the putting green and the temporary water was on, or just off, the putting green.
It has always baffled me why they didn't just make it 'abnormal course conditions' rather than 'immovable obstructions' when the umbrella term 'abnormal course conditions' was introduced in 2019.
wjemather
Well-known member
Yes, the tours should adhere to the guidance on which MLR to use and when.
Can't remember the last time I saw MLR E-2 (lift, clean and REplace) - which would be the appropriate model local rule most of the time - in use in a tour event.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
Probably because, as you say, the available LR has been available for years and they saw no need to change it and it is a modification to the rules re immovable obstructions and not, back then, a change to the rules for abnormal ground conditions.
chrisd
Major Champion
A penalty for teeing off early in a competition
Steven Rules
Well-known member
It is not clear to me what you are getting at here. Maybe it is clearer to others. What is the link between this post and the topic of this thread?
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Steven Rules
Well-known member
I am not sure where this poster is published or who it is targetted at, but the thing that concerns me is that the unwitting or casual observer may incorrectly conclude that the changes are universally applicable. (i.e. "rule changes"..... "you need to know"...."new rules" )
They are potential new Local Rules that committees can adopt. They are not universal changes to the Rules of Golf.
At least some of them are probably unworkable or inapplicable in the average club setting. For example F-2.3 (embedded ball) is recommended only for use in competitions where there is live television coverage. It is also difficult to see how E-14 (wrong place) could be applicable or enforceable unless there was video evidence available.
I personally won't be getting too excited about these new MLRs for the time being, unless I am refereeing at an event where they are included in the hard card or local rules, or (heaven forbid) my club decides to adopt them in its own local rules. (But, having said that, extending F-5, to include GUR would be a welcome and simple addition to our club LRs.)
They are potential new Local Rules that committees can adopt. They are not universal changes to the Rules of Golf.
At least some of them are probably unworkable or inapplicable in the average club setting. For example F-2.3 (embedded ball) is recommended only for use in competitions where there is live television coverage. It is also difficult to see how E-14 (wrong place) could be applicable or enforceable unless there was video evidence available.
I personally won't be getting too excited about these new MLRs for the time being, unless I am refereeing at an event where they are included in the hard card or local rules, or (heaven forbid) my club decides to adopt them in its own local rules. (But, having said that, extending F-5, to include GUR would be a welcome and simple addition to our club LRs.)
salfordlad
Well-known member
LOL, they are pampered princesses in terms of course condition/grooming. The tournament budgets for the PGA Tour are mind boggling, the numbers of staff employed equally so. I saw a reference to 25 days of preferred lies in a year of PGA Tour, that seems to be roughly around 15 per cent of tournament days.
KenL
Tour Rookie
Why do pros get such an easy life compared to the rest of us?
salfordlad
Well-known member
Knock about 12 strokes off your handicap and you can get the keys to the kingdom as well.
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