Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Everyone knows the scene: a ball disappears into the thick rough, other players immediately begin searching, while the player involved takes their time getting there. So, when does the clock start? The golf rules are clear: the search time begins only when the player or their caddie itself actively begins searching. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not matter when playing partners or spectators start looking – the three-minute timer starts as soon as the player starts the search themselves.
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 considered lost, and the player must return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Slow Players Lose – How Golf Rules Enforce the Search Time
Still, some golfers like to take their time. But the rules also address this: if a player intentionally delays to have others do the initial search, they cannot claim a later start for the search time. The timer starts at the earliest moment the player could have reasonably begun searching without delay, keeping the game fair and flowing.
Found Isn’t Always Identified
When the ball is spotted in time, the search ends, at least regarding the time limit. But what if it’s unclear whether it’s the player’s ball? 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 finding occurs within the three minutes; afterward, the player can take additional time to confirm it is their ball.
If two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion can arise. The rules help here too: if the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player may decide which ball counts as provisional, and the other is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem – But Remember to Replace It
In thick rough or sand, it can happen that a ball is accidentally moved during the search. The rule is clear: as long as this happens during a normal search, there is no penalty. The ball must be replaced on its original spot, whether under branches or half buried in sand. The golf rules leave no room for interpretation: searching must be conducted properly.