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 in the tall rough, playing partners immediately gather and start searching – while the player casually follows behind. The question arises: when does the clock officially start? Golf rules are clear: the search time begins only when the player or their caddie actively starts looking. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not matter when fellow players or spectators start searching through bushes – the three-minute countdown begins only when the player themselves begins the search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been limited to three minutes. Previously, it was five minutes, but the rules were adjusted to speed up the game. If the ball is not found within this time, it is considered lost, and the player must proceed with a penalty stroke from the previous spot.
Delay Costs – How Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
Still, some golfers take their time. The rules also address this: if a player intentionally delays to let their group do the groundwork, they cannot claim a later start time for searching. The clock runs from the point when the player could have started searching without delay, keeping the game fair and fluid.
Found Does Not Mean Identified
If the ball is found in time, the search ends per the time limit. But what if it’s unclear whether the ball is the player’s own? The rules allow a “reasonable time” for identification. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned if the spot is marked. The important thing is that the ball is found within three minutes. After that, the player may take some time to confirm it is their ball.
If two identical balls appear in the search area, confusion can arise. The rules provide guidance: if the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player may decide which one is provisional; the other is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem — But Remember to Replace It
In dense rough or sand, the ball may be accidentally moved during the search. The rules state this is not penalized if it happens in the normal search process. The ball must be replaced to its original spot—whether under branches or partly buried. The rules leave no room for interpretation: those searching must act correctly.