The PGA Tour is rolling out a notable rules change for the 2026 season, tightening how much relief players can take when preferred lies are in effect. Under the new guideline, golfers will be allowed to move their ball only the length of a scorecard, rather than a full club length. The update brings the PGA Tour in line with the DP World Tour, which already uses the same standard.
Preferred lies are typically introduced when course conditions deteriorate, most often after heavy rain leaves fairways muddy or waterlogged. In those situations, players are permitted to lift, clean, and reposition their ball on the fairway to ensure a fair lie.
According to Talksport, the revised policy requires players to place the ball closer to its original position, reducing the potential advantage that could come from a longer move. To avoid confusion, scorecards will feature a green sticker reminding players of the updated restriction.
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
The change brings better fairness to tournament play
The PGA Tour said it will only use preferred lies in extreme conditions. This includes when there’s heavy mud across the whole course, when water on the ground pushes players off the fairway, or when bad fairway conditions might hurt the competition.
If a player accidentally moves their ball outside the scorecard length, they can fix it without getting a penalty. But they must do this before hitting their next shot. Major sports figures in other leagues have also been making strategic moves, as Tom Brady pursues coaching talent for his Raiders ownership role.
World number 37 golfer Michael Kim praised the new rule on social media. He said it’s a great change and that he experienced it during the DP World Tour, where he thought it worked much better. Kim explained that a full club length can really change the angle of a chip shot sometimes.
“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,” he wrote on X.
Kim won the FedEx Open de France on the DP World Tour last September. He also won the 2018 John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, other sports stars have faced criticism recently, with Travis Kelce receiving harsh commentary about his recent performances.
The new rule will start at the beginning of the 2026 PGA Tour season. The first event will be the Sony Open in Hawaii from January 15 to 18 at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. This comes after The Sentry tournament was cancelled.
Published: Jan 8, 2026 03:45 pm