Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but exactly when does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Everyone knows the scene: a ball disappears into thick rough, fellow players immediately start searching – while the player involved strolls behind. So when does the clock actually start? The golf rules are clear: the search time begins only when the player or caddie actively starts looking. According to Rule 18.2a, it doesn’t count when others or spectators start searching – the three-minute countdown begins only when the player personally starts the search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes. Previously, it was five minutes, but the rules changed to speed up play. If the ball is not found within this time, it is considered lost. The player must then return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Slow players lose – how the golf rules enforce this
Still, some golfers like to take their time. The rules also have an answer for this: if a player deliberately delays to let the group do the initial search, they cannot claim a later start for the search time. The clock starts at the point when the player could have started searching without delay. This keeps play fair and flowing smoothly.
Found doesn’t mean identified
If the ball is spotted in time, the search is over – at least according to the clock. But what if it’s unclear whether it’s the player’s ball? No problem: the rules allow a reasonable time for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned while the spot is marked. The key is that the ball must be found within three minutes; afterward, more time can be taken to be sure it’s the correct ball.
Sometimes two identical balls lie close by, causing confusion. The rules assist here as well: if the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player may decide which ball is provisional, and the other is out of play.
Ball moved? No problem – just replace it correctly
In thick rough or sand, the ball may accidentally be moved during the search. The rules say this is without penalty as long as it happens during a normal search. The ball must simply be replaced to its original spot, no matter if it was under branches or partly in sand. The rules are clear: those searching must act properly.