The rule in a nutshell: While receiving advice from a spectator without asking for it does not result in a penalty, if it continues a player must try to stop that person from doing so. If they don’t, they’re deemed to have asked for the advice and receive a penalty.
We’re used to spectators shouting out all sorts of stupid things at golf tournaments. It’s neither big nor clever. But no matter how many idiots have their collars felt by a marshal and been ushered to a quick exit, it doesn’t seem to stem the tide.
So what would happen if a fan tried to be a little more helpful? What if they decided they could hand out some pearls of wisdom to a player at The Open?
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We know that, during a round, players can’t give advice to anyone in the competition who is playing on the course, ask anyone other than their caddie for advice, or touch another player’s equipment to learn information that “would be advice if given by or asked of the other player”. It’s written down in Rule 10.2a.
But does that apply to anyone else? Breaching this rule comes with a two-shot penalty, so could Rory McIlroy be at risk if someone tells him where to hit his shot – even though there’s no way he’d ever ask a random punter for help?
Rory McIlroy putts in front of fans at The Open at Royal St George’s | Source: Getty Images
Can spectators give advice in golf?
However ridiculous the prospect of this might sound, it is actually catered for in the Rules of Golf. You’ll find it in a clarification to Rule 10.2a.
In the first instance, there isn’t going to be a penalty dished out if a spectator suddenly starts giving advice to a player without them asking for it.
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The interesting bit – and the reason you’re reading this article – is what happens if the same spectator continues to hand out advice despite it being given voluntarily. Responsibility then drifts towards the player. Check out what the clarification says…
“If the player continues to get advice from that same person, the player must try to stop that person from giving advice. If the player does not do so, they are treated as asking for that advice and get the penalty under Rule 10.2a.”
So while players don’t need to worry about a well-meaning spectator blurting out a tip, they can’t just stand there and keep listening if it carries on. And while it would be a novel way to get chucked out of an event, that’s probably what’s facing any wannabe caddie that can’t keep quiet.
Got a question for our expert?
Despite the changes to the Rules of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. I’ll try to help by featuring the best of your queries in this column.
Can spectators give advice in golf? What do you think of this rule? Let me know by leaving a comment below, email me at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com or get in touch on X.
