Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Everyone knows the scenario: a ball disappears in the tall rough, playing partners immediately rush to search, while the player lags behind. So when does the clock actually start? Golf rules are clear: the search time only begins when the player or caddie actively starts looking. According to Rule 18.2a, it doesn’t count when others begin searching – the three minutes start only when the player begins the search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time is three minutes, reduced from five minutes to speed up play. If the ball is not found within this time, it is lost. The player must then return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Delaying Costs: How the Golf Rules Enforce Timely Searches
Still, some golfers take their time. The rules address this: intentional delay to let others search first does not reset the clock. The timer starts when the player could have begun searching without delay, keeping the game fair and flowing.
Found Isn’t Always Identified
When the ball is found within the time limit, the search ends. But what if it’s unclear whether it’s the player’s ball? The rules allow a reasonable time for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned, as long as the spot is marked. The key is that the finding occurs within three minutes. Identification can take a bit longer afterward.
If two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion can arise. If the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player can choose which ball is provisional; the other is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem—Just Replace It
In thick rough or sand, the ball might be accidentally moved during the search. The rule states this is not a penalty if it happens during a normal search. The ball must be replaced to its original spot, regardless of its previous position under branches or partly in sand. The rules leave no room for interpretation: searching must be done properly.