Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Most golfers know the scenario: a ball disappears into thick rough, playing partners immediately start looking while the player leisurely approaches. The question is: when does the clock actually start? Golf rules are clear: the search time begins only when the player or caddie actively starts searching. Rule 18.2a states that it does not matter when others start searching – the three minutes begin only when the player starts their own search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time has been three minutes, down from five minutes to speed up play. 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.
Delaying Means Losing: How Golf Rules Enforce Fair Play
Still, some golfers like to take their time. The rules address this: if a player intentionally delays to let others search first, the search time starts at the moment the player could have begun without delay. This keeps play fair and flowing smoothly.
Finding vs. Identifying the Ball
If the ball is found within the time limit, the search is over by the clock’s measure. But if it’s unclear whether the ball is the player’s, golf rules allow a reasonable time to identify it. The ball can be picked up, marked, and lightly cleaned if the spot is marked. The key is that the find happens within three minutes; after that, identification can take a little longer.
If two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion arises. The player may decide which is provisional if the original ball can’t be identified clearly; the other ball is out of play.
Ball Moved During Search? No Problem, But Must Be Replaced
Especially in thick rough or sand, the ball might accidentally move during search. This is not penalized as long as it occurs during normal search efforts. The ball must be replaced exactly where it was found—whether under branches or half buried in sand. Golf rules leave no room for interpretation: searching players must act correctly.