Ricardo,
I knew Richard Tufts and played golf with his son Peter, albeit, quite a while ago.
The concept/principle of "playing the course as you find it" wasn't conceived in the context of having the golfer in the group in front of you, decimating the playing surfaces.
As to "ball marks" left by a prior player, if you couldn't repair them, consider an embedded ball on the putting surface and the dilemma that creates if repair was not permitted.
The player may also repair damage to the putting surface, in his line, by his opponent, fellow competitor or caddy.
So, the concept/principle of playing the course "as you find it" takes on a broader meaning and that's the one you're missing.
You might also expand the caveat to the "concept/principle of "playing the course as you find it" to include the relief one gets from casual water on the putting surface, whether it accumates prior to or during the round, or at the time you're actually on the putting surface..
I can only devote so much time to your education