European Golf Tour Law

[spathiphyllum]

Wade Ormsby has fans to thank. They moved a very large rock which was in front of his ball. Because they moved this rock, he made par.

Now in golf law, are spectators allowed to edit the fairway?

Wade must have suggested this no fan would have put the idea to him I'm sure.

Here is a video of the rock being moved

https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1165622356779442176

[spathiphyllum]

It seems people in the twitter thread deem this unacceptable behaviour.
How far is too far?

Snapping tree branches so they're not in shot?

Tearing up the rough so it's less 'rough' ?

[spathiphyllum]

Tiger did it in 99

https://www.pgatour.com/video/2019/01/29/legends-of-the-green--fans-move-boulder-for-tiger-woods-in-1999.html

[Ellipsis]

It was classed as a "loose impediment". They are allowed to be moved:

https://www.randa.org/Rog/2019/Rules/Players-Edition/Rule-15

[spathiphyllum]

It didn't seem that loose ;)

[dannyk13]

It is not against the rules according to this:-
https://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/52845-large-rock-ruling-the-tiger-woods-boulder-incident-with-gallery-help/

[spathiphyllum]

Madness

[douglas9401]

Ah, that explains Driving In My Car.

[Ken4155]

Also why my girl's mad at me:-/

[THECORBYLOON]

The rule says, "You may remove a loose impediment..." That to me suggests it is the player who is allowed to remove a loose impediment and no-one else.

If it said, "A loose impediment may be removed" that implies no restrictions on who removes it or by what means.

[spathiphyllum]

Yes it’s more the fact he had to get a number if crowd members to do it for him

[TonyV]

I would believe its unlawful in golf rules, not as if he is moving a few pine cones.

[THECORBYLOON]

In this year's R & A's interpretations of the Laws of Golf it says about loose impediments,

"Loose impediments come in many shapes and sizes (such as acorns and large rocks), and the means and methods by which they may be removed are not limited, except that removal must not unreasonably delay play...
.....
A player is also allowed to seek help in
removing loose impediments, such as by asking spectators for assistance in removing a large tree branch."

It is clear that any loose impediment, regardless of weight or size, may be moved with or without outside assistance, providing it does not take too long.