[Flash]

I notice that when a player is taking their stance behind their lie in a straddle with their non dominate foot behind their marker at a distance greater than 10 meters that a stance violation is imminent. I usually am more attentive in these situations. Like Nikko demonstrated in his putt he jumped from his right foot which is not behind his lie but out to the side of the line of play. Like most of these situations its hard to make a call because most people are not trying to take unfair advantage, they are just making a mistake. That's why I feel people are more willing to let people know they are making this mistake without the official warning. However in my experience of watching situations like that unfold people often take offense regardless of the call being an official warning or a friendly reminder which is a shame. I think these situations are more seriously contested in cases where someone perceives unfair advantage and money is on the line. AKA BSF 2010, Hole 17 Eastside final round!

On your other topic of interest.
I was discussing with Pinkal walk through putts during a recent round together and had a question that we did not resolve and I have yet to ask the rules committee thinking I already have a pretty good idea of the ruling.

So the question is: if a person performs a walk through putt and makes contact with a branch or tall grass in front of their lie prior to releasing the disc but not the solid ground, is the putt legal or illegal?

803.04 Stance, Subsequent to Teeing Off:
A. When the disc is released, a player must:
(1) Have at least one supporting point that is
in contact with the playing surface on the line of play and within 30 centimeters directly behind the marker disc (except as specified in 803.04 E)
(2) have no supporting point contact with the marker disc or any object closer to the hole than the rear edge of the marker disc.

Supporting Point: Any part of a player’s body that is in contact with the playing surface or some other object capable of providing support, at the time of release.

Playing Surface: A surface, generally the ground, which is capable of supporting the player and from which a stance may reasonably be taken. In cases where it is unclear whether a surface is the playing surface, the decision shall be made by the tournament director or a course official.

Due to the wording of the above rule and definitions it would be difficult to call someone on a walking putt unless it was blatantly obvious that they made contact with the playing surface with a supporting point. Grass, twigs, piles of leaves or broken branches would fall outside the category of playing surface unless the TD specifically said they were.