Three minutes are allowed to find a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
The scene is familiar to every golfer: a ball disappears into thick rough, playing partners immediately start searching while the player lingers 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 the caddie actively starts looking. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not matter when other players or spectators begin searching – the three-minute countdown only starts when the player starts the search themselves.
Since 2019, the permitted search time has been limited to three minutes, reduced from five minutes 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 and take a penalty stroke.
Delay Hurts: How Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
Some golfers might take their time, but the rules have an answer for deliberate delays. A player who delays intentionally to let others do the groundwork cannot claim a later search start. The clock starts when the player could have started searching without delay. This ensures fairness and keeps the game moving.
Found Isn’t Always Identified
When the ball is found in time, the search ends according to the time rule. But what if it’s unclear whether the ball is the player’s own? The rules allow a reasonable time to identify it. The ball can be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned as long as the spot is marked. The important point is the ball must be found within the three minutes; after that, extra time is allowed to ensure it’s the correct ball.
If two identical balls are found, causing confusion, the player may decide which one is provisional; the other is removed from play.
Ball Moved? No Problem – But Remember to Replace It
In thick rough or sand, the ball may be accidentally moved during the search. The rules specify this is not penalized, provided the ball is replaced to its original spot. Whether it was under branches or partially buried in sand, correct replacement is mandatory. The golf rules leave no room for interpretation: the searcher must act properly.