Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Every golfer is familiar with the scene: a ball disappears in the thick rough, players immediately gather and start searching – while the player involved lags behind. The question then arises: when exactly does the clock start? The golf rules are clear: the search time only begins when the player or caddie actively starts looking. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not matter when others begin searching – the three minutes start only when the player initiates the search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes, down from five minutes previously, to speed up play. If the ball is not found within this time, it is considered lost, and the player must return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Who Delays, Loses – How the Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
Some players like to take their time, but the rules address this. If a player deliberately delays to let others do the initial searching, they cannot claim a later start time. The clock starts when the player could have started searching without delay, ensuring fair and flowing play.
Found But Not Identified
Once the ball is spotted within three minutes, the search officially ends. But what if it is unclear whether it is the correct ball? The rules allow a reasonable time for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned if the spot is marked. The key is the ball must be found within the three minutes; after that, identification can take some extra time.
If two identical balls lie nearby, confusion can arise. If the original ball cannot be positively identified, the player may choose which ball to treat as provisional; the other is then out of play.
Ball Moved During Search? No Problem, But Remember to Replace
In thick rough or sand, the ball can be accidentally moved during search. This is not penalized as long as it happens during a normal search. The ball must be replaced to its original spot, whether it was under branches or partly buried. The rules are clear: whoever searches must act properly.