803.01 Moving Obstacles
B. 1. A player may move casual obstacles that are on the playing surface where a supporting point may be placed when taking a stance farther from the target than the front edge of the lie.
Given that we saw the clarification last year at Champions Cup that people couldn't move pine cones in their run up, the PDGA has created a precedent that very minor unattached items, which have no impact on the flight line of the disc or swing of the arm, are still to be scrupulously considered casual obstacles. This isn't something that before this anyone had considered within the scope of the rules. This clarification does not fully resolve the issues with that precedent.
A potential problem immediately presents itself. When proceeding to a disc, one frequently will pass closer to the target than the lie. One frequent example is any throw which comes to rest past the target, such as putts or approach shots. Another is lies in the rough which cannot be gotten too easily.
This rule still means that if you move a pine cone, gum ball, small branch, twig, etc. as you approach the lie, you have committed a violation (unless you replace said pinecone, etc) . If someone kicks their toe into the ground in minor frustration after air balling a putt, and it moves a gum ball, it's a violation if the comeback putt is longer than the original one.
I would suggest that something be put in here regarding movement of casual obstacles which have no impact on play. Or inadvertent/unintentional moving of casual obstacles. I understand that people are reluctant to put anything into the rules about intent, but it's almost required here.
At the very least the rule should address casual obstacles which are farther from the lie than the target is from the lie (i.e the basket is between you and the lie). This would at least prevent the requirement that players circumnavigate the circle described by the distance of the lie from the target.
