Playing with laser before putting

[nokids]

I was messing around on the practice putting green today with one of those lasers you buy at the dollar store, and I had a question. If during a round I took out my little laser toy and scanned the green with my red dot before putting, is it illegal and if so, what rule is it a violation of?

I asked someone in the proshop at HC and they said it would be illegal. But I asked if I used a coin to reflect sunlight on the green they said that would be okay. So I am confused.

Just so everyone is clear what info I get from the laser when I'm playing with it, I find it helps me visualize what I want to do with my putt because I can point to a spot and concentrate on the path I want the ball to take, and also pick a spot on the green in front of the ball that I want to aim at without touching the spot with my hand because that would be a rule violation I guess. So the laser could be like me strategizing about my putt without touching the green. Once I'm set, I put the laser toy in my pocket, step up to my putt and take my stroke.

I know I could just do all this in my head, but often I form a plan in my mind and when I step up to putt I feel like I forgot some of the specifics and lose confidence in my plan. Laser would be a visual confirmation of the plan and I'm more confident to execute.

Penalty? Illegal?

[jvincent]

Penalty. See Rule 14-3.

Haven't you downloaded the rulebook yet?

[nokids]

John is sharp as usual.

So using a coin as a ball marker is okay, but if I use the coin to reflect sunlight to line up my putt and strategize that would be a penalty under 14-3 because I'm using the equipment in an 'unusual' way?

[DenisO]

So that's how you got your cap so low, you cheater!!

[nokids]

So that's how you got your cap so low, you cheater!!

Not low enough, must cheat MOAR!