The sequence
Cold board first. Pretty later.
Marit puts the ball on the cold board before anyone sits. If it hops, we take loft down. If it starts left, we read bulge. If it skids forever, we talk about face mill and ball choice.
Only after the first three inches are a roll will we discuss alignment marks, grip size, or the religion of mallet versus blade.
A winter start is the published sentence. A July carpet is a draft we do not mail.