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 in thick rough, fellow players rush over and start searching while the player involved casually follows. 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 matter when others begin searching – the three-minute countdown starts only when the player begins the search themselves.
Since 2019, the allowed search time was reduced to three minutes from five, as a measure 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 shot location with a penalty stroke.
Play Quickly or Lose: How Golf Rules Handle Delays
Still, some golfers tend to take their time. The rules address this as well. A player who intentionally delays to let their group do the initial searching cannot claim a later start time for their own search. The timer starts when the player could have begun searching without delay. This keeps the game fair and flowing smoothly.
Found Doesn’t Mean Identified
If the ball is spotted in time, the search ends—at least as far as the timer is concerned. But what if it’s unclear whether it’s the player’s own ball? Golf rules allow a “reasonable time” for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned, provided its spot is marked. The key point is the ball must be found within the three minutes. After that, additional time may be taken to confirm its identity.
When two identical balls lie in the search area, things can get confusing. The rules help here too. If the original ball cannot be definitely identified, the player may designate which ball is provisional; the other is then out of play.
Moved Ball? No Problem—Just Replace It
It can happen in dense rough or sand that the ball is accidentally moved during the search. The rules state this is penalty-free during a normal search. However, the ball must be replaced exactly where it was found—whether under branches or partially buried. The golf rules leave no room for interpretation: those who search must also act correctly.