Improving your putting line.

[Focker Singh]

Anyone know the official rule about improving your putting line? I read somewhere that you cannot improve your line by patting down spike marks but you are allowed to remove loose impediments or ball marks. I've seen tour players do both. What is the official ruling on this?

[Ego Woods]

Anyone know the official rule about improving your putting line? I read somewhere that you cannot improve your line by patting down spike marks but you are allowed to remove loose impediments or ball marks. I've seen tour players do both. What is the official ruling on this?
16-1. General
g a. Touching Line of Putt
The line of putt (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#LineOfPutt) must not be touched except:
(i) .the player may remove loose impediments (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#LooseImpediments), provided he does not press anything down;
(ii) .the player may place the club in front of the ball when addressing (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#AddressingTheBall) it, provided he does not press anything down;
(iii) .in measuring — Rule 18-6 (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules/rule18.html#18-6);
(iv) .in lifting the ball — Rule 16-1b;
(v) .in pressing down a ball-marker;
(vi). in repairing old hole (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#Hole) plugs or ball marks on the putting green (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#PuttingGreen) — Rule 16-1c; and

(vii) in removing movable obstructions (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#Obstructions) — Rule 24-1 (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules/rule24.html#24-1).
(Indicating line for putting on putting green (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#PuttingGreen) — see Rule 8-2b (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules/rule08.html#8-2).)
g b. Lifting and Cleaning Ball
A ball on the putting green (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#PuttingGreen) may be lifted and, if desired, cleaned. The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted and the ball must be replaced (See Rule 20-1 (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules/rule20.html#20-1)).
g c. Repair of Hole Plugs, Ball Marks and Other Damage
The player may repair an old hole (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#Hole) plug or damage to the putting green (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#PuttingGreen) caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not the player’s ball lies on the putting green (http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/definitions.html#PuttingGreen).

You can repair and pat down divots caused by the ball or old hole plugs and also remove loose impediments. You cannot pat down spike marks.