Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Almost every golfer knows the scene: a ball disappears into thick rough, and fellow players immediately start looking around while the player involved casually approaches. The question arises: when does the clock actually start? Golf rules are clear: the search time begins only when the player or their caddie actively starts searching. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not count when fellow players or spectators start checking the bushes – the three-minute timer begins only when the player begins the search themselves.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes, down from five minutes previously. This change was made 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.
Slow Players Lose – How Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
However, some golfers tend to take their time. Golf rules also cover this: players who deliberately delay to let their group do the groundwork cannot claim a later start time for the search. The clock runs from the moment the player could have started without delay, ensuring fair and continuous play.
Finding Is Not Always Identifying
If the ball is found within the three minutes, the search officially ends. But what if it’s unclear whether it is the player’s own ball? Golf rules allow a reasonable amount of time to identify the ball. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned as long as its original spot is marked. The discovery must occur within three minutes; after that, players may take additional time to be certain of the ball’s identity.
Sometimes two identical balls lie near the search area, causing confusion. Golf rules help here too: if the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player may decide which ball is provisional. The other ball is then out of play.
Ball Moved During Search? No Penalty, but Replace It
In thick rough or sand, a ball may be accidentally moved during the search. There is a rule for this: if this happens during normal searching, it is not penalized. The ball must be replaced at its original spot—whether under branches or half-buried in sand. Golf rules leave no room for interpretation here; those who search must do so correctly.