Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the golf rules countdown begin?
Every golfer knows this scene: a ball disappears in the thick rough, fellow players immediately start searching while the player involved strolls behind. The question arises: when does the clock actually start? Golf rules are clear: the search time starts only when the player or their caddie actively begins the search. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not matter when others begin searching – the three-minute countdown starts only when the player starts looking themselves.
Since 2019, the allowed search time is limited to three minutes. It used to be five minutes, but the rules were adapted to speed up play. If the ball is not found within this time, it is deemed lost and the player must return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Delay costs you – how golf rules enforce the search time
Still, some golfers like to take their time. The rules address this: intentionally delaying to let others do the searching first is not permitted. The countdown starts from the moment the player could have started the search without delay. This keeps the game fair and flowing.
Found doesn’t mean identified
If the ball is found in time, the search ends according to the time rule. But what if it’s unclear if it’s the player’s own ball? The rules allow a “reasonable time” to identify it. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned while the spot is marked. The find must occur within three minutes; after that, the player may take extra time to confirm the ball’s identity.
If two identical balls lie within the search area, confusion can arise. The rules help here as well: if the original ball cannot be clearly identified, the player may decide which ball to treat as provisional, with the other removed from play.
Ball moved during search? No penalty, but remember to replace it
In thick rough or sand, the ball may be accidentally moved while searching. This is not penalized as long as it happens during a proper search. The ball must be replaced at its original spot, whether under branches or half-buried in sand. The rules allow no room for interpretation: searching players must act correctly.