Guys:
I realize this whole idea of allowing spectators or even television viewers into the decision making process of the "Committee" may seem strange or unfair to some but that's the way it's been for quite some time and obviously it gets more prevalent and complex with technology. JVB may know better than me when this ramification first came into the Rules of Golf (accepting spectator knowledge or testimony) but it's been in The Rules of Golf as long as I've been familiar with them. Below is how it is addressed and explained in the Rules (in the Decisions on the Rules of Golf, which are all considered to be part of golf's 34 Rules). Ironically or coincidentally, the following Decision which addresses this issue in detail is the very last decision in the Decisions book (of the actual 34 Rules);
Here it is----Decision 34-3/9:
DEC. 34-3/9 Resolution of Questions of Fact; Referee and Committee Responsibility
Resolving questions of fact is among the most difficult actions required of a referee, an individual Committee member or the Committee as a whole. For example, these situations include a broad array of incidents such as determining whether a player caused a ball to move (Decisions 18/10, 18-2a/30 and 18-2a/30.5), whether a player played from outside the teeing ground (Decision 34-3/4), whether a stroke was made (Decision 14/1.5), the hole at which a wrong ball was played (Decision 15-1/3) and the state of a match (Decision 34-3/5).
In all situations involving questions of fact, resolution of the doubt must be made in light of all the relevant circumstances and evaluation of the weight of the evidence, including the balance of probabilities where applicable (Decision 15-1/3). When the Committee is unable to determine the facts to its satisfaction, it must resolve the matter in the fairest way (Decision 34-3/5).
Testimony of the players involved is important and must be given due consideration. In some situations where the facts are not decisive, the doubt should be resolved in favor of the player (Decisions 15-1/2 and 19-1/4.1); in others, the doubt should be resolved against the player (Decision 13-4/35.5 and 21/3). There is no hard-and-fast rule for evaluating the testimony of the players or for assigning the weight to be given to such testimony and each situation must be treated on its own merits. The proper action depends on the circumstances in each case and must be left to the judgment of the referee, Committee member or the Committee as a whole.
Testimony of those who are not a part of the competition, including spectators, must be accepted and evaluated (Decision 27/12). It is also appropriate to use television footage and the like to assist in resolving doubt.
It is important that any questions of fact be resolved in a timely manner such that the competition may proceed in an orderly way. Thus, the referee in match play or Committee member in stroke play may be limited to evaluating the evidence available to him in a timely manner. Any such ruling is always subject to further review by the referee, Committee member or Committee as a whole as additional evidence becomes available.
If a judgment is made by a referee or Committee member, the player is entitled to proceed on the basis of that ruling whether it is an interpretation of the Rules of Golf (Decision 34-3/1.5) or a resolution of a question of fact (Decision 34-3/7). In situations arising in both circumstances, if the ruling is found to be incorrect, the Committee may have the authority to make a correction (Decisions 34-3/1 and 34-3/7). However, in all circumstances, including both match play and stroke play, the referee or Committee is limited in its ability to make corrections by the guidance contained in Decisions 34-2/5, 34-2/6,
34-2/7, 34-3/3 and 34-3/3.3.