Rules help - indicating line of play

[ctmurrray]

When I play I stand behind my ball facing the hole and reach forward and drag a club across the ground (near the ball, maybe 2 ft to the left) to visualize the direction for my next shot. I then walk to my stance position (I am a righty so the imaginary line is between my feet and the ball). I am still looking at my imaginary line and put my feet along this line to help me with my aim, obviously.

This is close to a violation of rule 8.2, indicating a line of play. And I wonder if this is actually a violation. If there is dew on the ground the drag leaves a clear mark. Even on a dry course I suspect the drag changes the grass reflectivity and is probably visible.

I just re-read the rule. You can have a caddie stand behind you to make sure you are lined up, but not stay their during the shot, but alas I have no caddie. Essentially the pro has done the same thing as my method. You can actually lay down a club, align your feet to the club, and be legal as long as you remove the club before taking a shot. Again the effect is exactly the same. So I feel I am not violating the rule since my technique does end up the same as these clearly spelled out methods.

If this is a violation I will probably start using the "lay down the club" method, and get perfectly aligned and then bend over and move the club out of the way. This will of course slow me down a bit, but I can adjust.

I have done this for so long that it is subconcious. I have not intended to get an unfair advantage.

[iacas]

This is close to a violation of rule 8.2, indicating a line of play. And I wonder if this is actually a violation.

Yes, it is, and pretty clearly:

Source: Rule 8.2a Except on the putting green, a player may have the line of play indicated to him by anyone, but no one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made. Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate the line must be removed before the stroke is made.

Essentially the pro has done the same thing as my method.

Do you remove the mark before you swing, somehow? No. You're also influencing the area of your stance or swing - another no-no.

If this is a violation I will probably start using the "lay down the club" method, and get perfectly aligned and then bend over and move the club out of the way. This will of course slow me down a bit, but I can adjust.

With pace of play in mind, how about you learn to line yourself up like most everyone else? Pick a spot, line your club up, set your feet to that, and hit.

I have done this for so long that it is subconcious. I have not intended to get an unfair advantage.

Time to make it conscious so you can change it to stop breaking the rules.

[ctmurrray]

Because the method you suggest did not work in the past. I can try again. But historically I have had no luck looking over my shoulder and being sure I am aimed properly.

I could of course just get a caddie. The rules are slowly moving to give the average guy the same advantage of the pros. I now can legally use my range finder, whereas this was clearly a rules violation in the past (I used only for practice rounds until the rule was changed).

[iacas]

I could of course just get a caddie. The rules are slowly moving to give the average guy the same advantage of the pros.

Very, very, very, very, very few men use their caddies to line themselves up. A fair number of women do for some reason.

I can't name one guy, though.

[Garthmo]

Making a line is kind of silly aint it? Just take your best aim and go for it and you will learn where your aiming over time. Do you not trust yourself to do that? not trying to be mean, really im just wondering

[ctmurrray]

Making a line is kind of silly aint it? Just take your best aim and go for it and you will learn where your aiming over time. Do you not trust yourself to do that? not trying to be mean, really im just wondering

When I started playing my partners would notice that I was not even close to being on target with my feet. When shots were off target, they would say "of course it was, you were aimed over there". They would work with me on the driving range and I never got the hang, what my eyes said was the correct aim did not end up with my feet correctly aimed. Now my game is better and it is possible I can do this alignment, I have seen enough shots hopefully I am tuned into a natural alignment. Also my hits are very straight now, so if I am off line I should know the cause is alignment.

The fear is a period of poor play while I get this straightened out.

[iacas]

The fear is a period of poor play while I get this straightened out.

Don't sweat it. You've got a built-in excuse.

After you hit your shot, lay a club back down along your feet (make sure you don't move them), then walk around behind and look where they were pointed. If you have enough time, that is. FWIW, I applaud you for recognizing that you were breaking the rules and vowing not to now.

[golfchief]

If you can drag your club for a line than you can see the line just pick some blades of grass to line up with and use that to line yourself up.

[ctmurrray]

Don't sweat it. You've got a built-in excuse.

This is a pretty good idea, check my aim after the shot.

[snowyowl]

whilst on the practice range, leave a club aligned to your target between your feet and the ball. Make sure your feet are parallel to the line, and get someone to check your body alignment. Do this over a period of time and you become better at aligning yourself on the course. It takes some work though to ingrain it....

Snowyowl

[ctmurrray]

Another good suggestion.