Clearing the way???

[faldo]

Gary, I watched Sergio in the fescue on Friday taking a 1/2 dozen practice swings & taking up an awful lot of long rough..
Then, I was very surprised to see him stride back 3 steps to were his ball was. He then proceded to hit it directly over the area where he had been excavating.

Could this not be construed as "Improving your lie"?? It might not "help" a world-class player like him but what if we did that?

Thanks,
George

[Gary Hill]

I didn't see the incident, so I can't say whether or not he was actually on the line of play.

Also, as you stated, it is only improving the line if it "helps".

What specifically constitutes "improving your line of play"?
Well, that depends on the circumstances.

For instance, knocking down a number of pine needles from a pine tree branch may not improve your line, but knocking down one huge leaf from a rubber plant may improve your line.