Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Almost everyone knows the scene: a ball disappears into thick rough, playing partners rush to search, while the player lags behind. So when exactly does the clock start? 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 matter when others begin searching – the three-minute countdown starts when the player begins the search personally.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been three minutes. It was previously five minutes but was shortened to speed up play. If the ball isn’t found within this time, it is deemed lost, and the player must return to the previous stroke location with a penalty stroke.
Slow Players Lose – Golf Rules Enforce Fairness
Some players take their time deliberately. However, the rules have a clear answer: if a player delays intentionally to let their group do the searching first, they cannot claim a later starting point for the search time. The clock runs from the moment the player could have reasonably begun searching without delay. This keeps play fair and flowing smoothly.
Found Does Not Mean Identified Yet
If the ball is spotted within time, the search ends according to the clock. But what if it’s unclear if it’s the player’s ball? The rules allow a “reasonable time” for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned as long as the spot is marked. Crucially, the ball must have been found within the three minutes. After that, the player can take time to be sure it’s their ball.
When two identical balls are found, confusion often arises. If the original ball cannot be positively identified, the player may decide which ball to treat as provisional. The other ball is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Penalty If Properly Replaced
In thick rough or sand, the ball may be accidentally moved during the search. The rules say this is not penalized if it happens during a normal search. The ball must be returned to its original spot, no matter if it was under branches or partly buried. The rules provide no wiggle room: players who search must do so correctly.