reading a put

Question
we all cant read puts like Camilo Villegas, but what are the rules for how you can read a put. Actually what I want to know is if you can lay on the ground behind your ball to get eye level to the green? you arent putting indention on your line, so is it a violation?
Thank You

Answer
Kyle,

The following is from the USGA web site. For your information.

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.)

As long as you don't do any damage to the green or delay the game, I'm reasonably sure that would be allowed. I could not find anything to the contrary in the rules of golf or the decision book.

Thanks for the question,

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional