Story goes, Tiger Woods was playing the TPC in Scotsdale. His ball landed behind this rock. The rules state you can move lose items. Tiger convinced the crowd and the Marshals that this rock was an impediment that could be moved. So they did, leaving Tiger with a clear shot. Since then, the rules have changed a bit.
Moral of today's story? Read the rules. Once you know them, you can decide to follow them or not, but know them first.