Three minutes are allowed to find a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Every golfer knows the scene: a ball disappears in thick rough, playing partners immediately start looking, while the player casually walks up. The question arises: when does the clock actually start? Golf rules are clear: the search time only begins when the player or caddie actively starts searching. According to Rule 18.2a, it doesn’t count when others begin searching – the three-minute timer starts only when the player takes initiative.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes, reduced from five to speed up play. If the ball is not found within this time, it is considered lost, and the player must return with a penalty stroke to the previous spot.
Slow Players Lose – How Golf Rules Enforce the Search Time
Some golfers like to take their time, but the rules have a clear response. Deliberate delay to let others do the work doesn’t postpone the start: the timer begins when the player could have started searching without delay. This keeps the game fair and flowing smoothly.
Found Is Not Always Identified
If the ball is discovered in time, the search ends according to the clock. But what if it’s unclear if the ball is theirs? The rules allow a reasonable time for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and cleaned lightly, provided the spot is marked. Importantly, finding must occur within the three minutes; afterward, the player can take time to confirm it’s the right ball.
When two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion often arises. Here too, the rules assist: if the original ball can’t be clearly identified, the player chooses which ball is provisional; the other is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem — But Remember to Replace It
In dense rough or sand, the ball can be accidentally moved during the search. The rules allow this without penalty as long as it happens during normal searching. The ball must be replaced to its original spot, whether under branches or partially buried. The rules leave no room for interpretation: those searching must act correctly.