The most noticeable changes included golfers being able to putt on the green with the flag remaining in, and drops being made from knee rather than shoulder height.

The PGA of America cited the addition of golf to the Summer Olympics, as well as cooler weather enabling a wider array of options for host courses, as reasoning for the change.

It was also believed that the PGA Tour wished to re-align its season so that its FedEx Cup Playoffs would not have to compete with the start of the NFL season in early September, since both United States broadcast partners (CBS and NBC) are NFL broadcast partners.

[2][3][4][5][6] The number of Race to Dubai points available in the Final Series (last three events of the season) was increased, and the field size reduced.

The aim was to make more players still have a chance of winning the Race to Dubai entering the Final Series.