Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Everyone knows the scenario: a ball disappears in thick rough, fellow players immediately start searching while the player in question casually follows behind. Then the question arises: 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 or spectators begin to search – the three-minute countdown starts only when the player personally initiates 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 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.
Delaying Costs You: How Golf Rules Enforce the Search Time
Still, some golfers like to take their time. The golf rules provide a clear response for this as well. If a player deliberately delays to let their group start the search, they cannot claim a later start to the search time. The clock starts from the moment the player could have begun searching without delay. This keeps the game fair and flowing smoothly.
Found Isn’t Always Identified Immediately
If the ball is spotted within time, the search ends at least according to the time limit. But what if it’s unclear whether it’s the player’s own ball? The rules allow a reasonable amount of time to identify it. The ball may be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned as long as the spot is marked. The key is the discovery must happen within three minutes; afterward, the player may take extra time to confirm it’s truly their ball.
When two identical balls are found in the search area, confusion can arise. The rules help here too: if the original ball cannot be identified clearly, the player decides which ball to treat as provisional and the other is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem – Just Replace It Correctly
Searching in thick rough or sand can accidentally move the ball. There’s a rule for that: as long as it happens during a normal search, there is no penalty. The ball must simply be replaced to its original spot, whether under branches or partly buried in sand. The golf rules leave no room for misinterpretation: anyone searching must handle the ball properly.