There are some breaches of the rules, like….
Exerting influence on the ball – if a serious breach
Failure to hole out
Playing with non-conforming equipment
Applying foreign material to the ball
More than one caddy
Scoring/score card violations
Slow play, if in effect –third offense
Unauthorized discontinuation/resumption of play
On course practice during event
Playing out of turn to gain advantage
Playing from the wrong tee box
Playing from outside the teeing ground and not correcting mistake before hitting from next tee
Using Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment
Playing wrong ball/ not correcting mistake before teeing off on next hole
Playing from wrong place/ not correcting mistake - if it’s deemed a serious mistake
Agreeing not to lift a ball that might assist any competitor
….where the penalty is always going to be a DQ during an event, before or after a card is signed. I may have missed a couple, but the result of all other infractions is only a one or two stroke penalty if reported before a card is signed.
It was not possible for the rule makers to foresee the impact of TV on the game. The problem it creates needs to be addressed from a modern perspective, even if the number of instances where it’s had an effect is few and far between.
The whole late-reporting issue should be looked at, no matter where it comes from. That includes TV, on-course spectators, other players, and rules officials themselves. As it stands right now its penalty, DQ, harbors the potential for serious abuse.