The PGA Championship is rolling out a new playbook this week—and it's not about swing mechanics or club selection. A freshly minted "code of conduct" is now in place at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, aimed at keeping the world's best golfers in check. Think of it as the game's etiquette upgrade, moving beyond penalty drops and hazard relief to focus squarely on how pros carry themselves on and off the course.

Kerry Haigh, the PGA of America's chief competitions officer, unveiled the details Wednesday, explaining that the policy is a collaborative effort between the four major championships and the main tours. "It ensures everyone is behaving appropriately, professionally, and as we would want our children and people watching to see the major championship," Haigh said. The message is clear: golf's biggest stage demands its biggest stars to set the right example.

So, what's off-limits? A list of 14 "unacceptable behaviors" is now posted in the Aronimink locker room, covering everything from the obvious (damaging property) to the subtle (failing to be honest—or even wearing a hat backward). It's a comprehensive reminder that the game's traditions extend beyond the fairways.

This crackdown isn't happening in a vacuum. Just last month, Sergio Garcia became the first player to receive a warning under the new guidelines after a meltdown on Masters Sunday. He damaged turf on an Augusta National tee box and snapped his driver shaft over a bench leg. Garcia apologized, but he wasn't alone in that week's spotlight. Robert MacIntyre also got a reprimand at the Masters for flipping the bird at the 15th green after a shot landed in the water. His reaction? He missed the cut and later posted an AI-generated photo of himself as a bird-flipping Masters gnome on Instagram—hardly a model of contrition.

The new rules also cast a spotlight on past incidents that would now draw swift penalties. Last summer at the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy smashed a tee box marker—a move that would trigger a quick warning today. Wyndham Clark, meanwhile, damaged a locker at Oakmont's locker room during the same event, an episode he had to answer for in the months that followed. That came after Clark threw his driver at last year's PGA Championship, hitting a sign and snapping the shaft. With the code of conduct now in place, such outbursts could carry real consequences.

For fans and players alike, this is more than just a rulebook—it's a statement. Golf's majors are doubling down on professionalism, ensuring that the sport's biggest moments are remembered for the right reasons. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a tour pro, the message is universal: respect the game, the course, and the competition. And maybe keep that hat facing forward.