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 thick rough, fellow players rush to search, while the player in question casually walks up. So when does the clock actually 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 looking – the three minutes start the moment the player initiates the search themselves.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes, reduced from five to speed up play. If the ball is not found within this time, it is considered lost and the player must take a penalty stroke and return to the previous spot.
Lagging Behind Costs You – How Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
Nevertheless, some golfers take their time. The rules address this as well: anyone deliberately delaying to make others do the work cannot claim a later start to the search clock. Timing begins when the player could have started without delay, ensuring a fair and smooth game.
Found Is Not Always Identified
If the ball is discovered in time, the search ends for timing purposes. But what if it’s unclear whether 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. The crucial point: the ball must be found within the three minutes. Identification can take a little longer afterwards.
In cases where two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion may arise. The player decides which ball counts as provisional; the other is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem – But Remember to Replace It
Sometimes the ball moves accidentally during a search, especially in thick rough or sand. This is penalty-free as long as it happens during the normal search. The ball must be replaced to its original spot, whether under branches or half-buried in sand. The rules leave no room for interpretation: those who search must act correctly.