Adhering strictly to the rules

Two friends were playing golf one day.
They decided they would adhere strictly to the rules with no improving their lie.
After a few holes, one guy's ball landed on a cart path.
As he reached down to pick up his ball to get relief his friend said, "We agreed that we would not improve our lie."
No matter how much the first fellow tried to explain that he was entitled to this relief, the second fellow would not allow it.
So the man went to the cart to get a club.
As he stood over the ball he took a few practice swings, each time scraping the club on the pavement, taking out big chunks of blacktop and sending out lots of sparks! Finally, after several practice swings he took his shot. The ball took off and landed on the green about 6 feet from the pin.
"Great shot!" his friend exclaimed. "What club did you use?"
"Your 7-iron!" he replied