Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost golf ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to the rules?
We all know the scene: a ball disappears into thick rough, fellow players rush over and start searching, while the player involved casually walks along. The question arises: when does the clock really start? Golf’s rules are clear: the search time only begins when the player or their caddie actively starts searching. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not matter when others begin looking – the three minutes only start when the player themselves begins the search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time is limited to three minutes. Previously, it was five minutes, but the rules were changed to speed up play. If the ball is not found within that time, it is deemed lost, and the player must return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Delaying Means Losing – How the Rules Enforce Fair Play
Still, some golfers like to take their time. The rules address this clearly: a player who deliberately delays to let their group search first cannot claim a later start point for the search clock. Timing starts once the player could have started the search without delay, ensuring fairness and smooth play.
Found Doesn’t Always Mean Identified
If a ball is found in time, the search ends regarding the time limit. But what if it’s unclear whether it’s the player’s ball? The rules allow a “reasonable time” to identify it. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned if the spot is marked. Crucially, the find must occur within three minutes. After that, a player may take more time to confirm the ball’s identity.
If two identical balls lie near each other, confusion can be high. Here, too, the rules help: if the original ball cannot be identified, the player may choose 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 might be accidentally moved during the search. The rules state this is not a penalty if it happens during a normal search. The ball must be replaced to its original spot, whether under branches or partly buried in sand. The rules leave no room for interpretation: who searches must act correctly.