Three minutes are allowed to find a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to the golf rules?
Everyone knows the scene: a ball disappears into the thick rough, fellow players immediately start searching, while the player involved lags behind. So, the question arises: When exactly does the clock start? The 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 minutes start only when the player themselves start looking.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes. Previously it was five, but the rules were updated 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.
Delay Means Penalty – How the Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
Still, some players take their time. However, the rules also address this: if a player deliberately delays to let their group do the searching first, they cannot claim a later start time. The clock runs from the moment the player could have started searching without delay. This keeps the game fair and flowing smoothly.
Finding the Ball Is Not the Same as Identification
If the ball is found in time, the search ends in terms of timing. But what if it is unclear if the ball is the player’s own? The rules allow a “reasonable time” to identify the ball. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned as long as the spot is marked. The key is that the ball must be found within the three minutes; identification may take longer.
If there are two identical balls in the search area causing confusion, the rules help here too. If the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player may decide which ball to treat as provisional. The other ball is then out of play.
Accidental Ball Movement During Search – No Penalty But Remember to Replace
In thick rough or sand, the ball may be accidentally moved during the search. The rules state this is not a penalty as long as it happens during a normal search. The ball must be replaced to its original spot – whether under branches or partly buried in sand. The rules leave no room for interpretation: players searching must act correctly.