Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
We’ve all experienced it: a ball disappears into thick rough, fellow players immediately gather to search while the player involved casually walks over. The question arises: when exactly does the clock start? According to golf rules, the search time only begins when the player or their caddie actively starts searching. As stated in Rule 18.2a, it doesn’t matter when others begin looking – the three-minute countdown starts only when the player actively searches.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been 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 this time, it is deemed lost and the player must proceed under penalty stroke to the previous spot.
Delaying costs you – how golf rules enforce timing
Some players like to take their time, but golf rules address this clearly. If a player intentionally delays to let others do the preliminary search, they cannot claim a later start to the search time. The clock runs from the moment the player could have started searching without delay, ensuring fair and smooth play.
Found does not always mean identified
When the ball is spotted within the allowed time, the search ends, but what if it’s unclear whether it’s your ball? The rules allow a reasonable time for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned if the spot is marked. Crucially, the discovery must happen within three minutes; after that, players may take some extra time to confirm it’s their ball.
Confusion can occur if two identical balls lie near each other. The rules allow the player to decide which ball to treat as provisional if the original cannot be clearly identified – the other ball is then out of play.
Ball moved during search? No penalty if replaced
In thick rough or sand, a ball might be accidentally moved while searching. The rules state this is not penalized if it happens during a normal search. The ball must simply be replaced to its original spot, whether under branches or partially buried. The golf rules are clear: those who search must act correctly.