Dave Stockton Touching Line of Putt at Address

[nickolasjt]

As I was looking up some Dave Stockton putting tips, I noticed something that has been so obvious I never thought about it.  You aren't allowed to touch the line of your putt correct?  Dave Stockton does this EVERY TIME he putts..... every single time.  The pre shot routine of putting the putter in front of the ball... Why is that not considered illegal when he is in fact touching the line of his putt with the putter?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by nickolasjt

As I was looking up some Dave Stockton putting tips, I noticed something that has been so obvious I never thought about it.  You aren't allowed to touch the line of your putt correct?  Dave Stockton does this EVERY TIME he putts..... every single time.  The pre shot routine of putting the putter in front of the ball... Why is that not considered illegal when he is in fact touching the line of his putt with the putter?

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-16/

Emphasis added by me:

16-1 . General

a . Touching Line of Putt

The line of putt must not be touched except:

(i) the player may remove loose impediments , provided he does not press anything down;

(ii) the player may place the club in front of the ball when addressing it, provided he does not press anything down;

(iii) in measuring – Rule 18-6 ;

(iv) in lifting or replacing the ball – Rule 16-1b ;

(v) in pressing down a ball-marker;

(vi) in repairing old hole plugs or ball marks on the putting green – Rule 16-1c ; and

(vii) in removing movable obstructions – Rule 24-1 .

(Indicating line for putting on putting green – see Rule 8-2b )

[Rulesman]

And

Addressing The Ball

A player has “ addressed the ball” when he has grounded his club immediately in front o f or immediately behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance .

[nickolasjt]

ahhhhhhhhh