QUESTION: I like to play early in the morning and as the fall weather arrives there is dew on the ground during the first few holes.  Is it permissible to sweep away the dew or mop it up with a towel around my ball to give me a smooth putt? 

ANSWER: Generally, improving the lie of the ball, the line of play, or the area of intended stance or swing by removing dew is a breach of Rule 13-2 (the penalty for which is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play).   

However, dew, frost or water may be removed from the teeing ground of the hole being played.