To accurately quote Shane Lowry, he said “it was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done.” That’s a bit harsh, but when the former major winner and Ryder Cup hero picked up his ball on a putting green without first marking it at last year’s U.S. Open, it did briefly bring Rules 9.4b and 14.1a into the news. They rarely get discussed because rules incidents involving them rarely happen. At least not to tour pros.
In Lowry’s defense, it was brutally hot during the second round at Oakmont Country Club, and he was well on his way to missing the cut. You could argue that his brain was literally fried on that day.
That said, it’s worth reviewing what you should do with your golf ball if you plan on lifting it, touching it or moving it in any other manner.
