Rules: Using dew to line up a stroke

[allin]

I read this post relating to what Matt Kuchar does when he lines up his putt. He is behind it on his line and lays the putter down on the ground so the shaft is pointing from himself to the ball. That would leave a nice line in the 'dew' and allow you to line up your putt quite well. IMHO what's the big deal? You can line up your logo or line on the ball to indicate your line? I guess there's a bit of difference, since the line by the shaft is much longer.

I question whether lining up behind the putt is the same as indicating the line. Only a fool would not notice the lines made in dew by previous golfers as a putt reading tool, just like grain or drop off areas etc. The issue is where does the line start, and what is the intent. Obviously if you purposely make a line between you and the hole, you are in violation. If you make a mark behind the ball you could argue it either way, but I would have a problem with it for myself. Even when caddies line up players they are not allowed to continue standing there. If the line is visible and remains as an alignment aid I feel it violates at least the spirit of the rules.

[Zeph]

It's in the same vicinity as when a player is accidentally bumps his ball when searching for it, you will always be penalized. If you weren't, people would "accidentally" bump their ball all the time when searching for their ball. Some people may not recognize a path in the dew lining up your putt. If it was not covered under the rules as a penalty, people would act like it happens accidentally, when they really use it as alignment aid.

A lot of things that you can accidentally do, and which help your game in some way, is not allowed.