Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
We all know the scene: a ball disappears into the thick rough, fellow players rush to search while the player lags behind. So the question arises: when exactly does the clock start? According to golf rules, the search time begins only when the player or their caddie actively starts searching. Rule 18.2a confirms this: it does not matter when others start searching – the three-minute countdown starts only when the player begins the search.
Since 2019, the allowed 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 deemed lost. The player must then return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Delay Costs You – How Golf Rules Enforce the Search Time
Some golfers like to take their time, but the rules address this too. If a player deliberately delays to let others search first, they can’t claim a later search start time. The clock begins when the player could have started searching without delay, ensuring fairness and smooth play.
Ball Found Doesn’t Mean Identified
If the ball is spotted on time, the search ends under the clock rules. But what if it’s unclear if it’s the player’s ball? Golf rules allow a reasonable time to identify the ball. It may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned if the spot is marked. The find must occur within three minutes; after that, more time is allowed to confirm the ball’s identity.
If two identical balls lie nearby, confusion can arise. The player may designate one as provisional; the other is out of play.
Ball Moved During Search? No Penalty—but Replace It
In thick rough or sand, the ball might accidentally move while searching. This is not penalized if during a normal search. The ball must be replaced to its original spot, regardless of being under branches or partially buried. The rules leave no ambiguity: when you search, you must follow proper procedure.