Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when exactly does the countdown start according to golf rules?
Almost every golfer knows the scene: a ball disappears in thick rough, fellow players immediately start searching while the player involved casually follows. The question arises: when exactly does the clock 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 doesn’t matter when other players or spectators begin to look around – the three minutes start only when the player themselves starts the search.
Since 2019, the allowed search time is limited to three minutes, reduced from five minutes to speed up the game. If the ball is not found within this time, it is considered lost. The player must then return to the original spot of the previous stroke with a penalty stroke.
Delaying means losing – how golf rules enforce this
Some golfers tend to take their time. However, the golf rules have a clear answer for that as well. Players who deliberately delay to let their group do the groundwork first cannot claim a later start time for the search clock. The timer starts from the moment the player could have started searching without undue delay. This keeps the game fair and flowing smoothly.
Found does not mean identified
When the ball is found in time, the search ends – at least in terms of timing. But what if it is unclear whether 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 as long as the spot is marked. The important part is that the ball is found within three minutes. After that, some time may be taken to confirm that it is indeed the correct ball.
If two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion may arise. The rules help here as well. If the original ball cannot be identified clearly, the player can decide which ball is provisional; the other ball is then out of play.
Ball moved? No problem – but remember to replace it
It happens often in thick rough or sand that the ball is accidentally moved during the search. There is a rule for this: as long as the movement happens during a normal search, it is not penalized. The ball must simply be replaced to its original spot whether it was under branches or partly buried in sand. The golf rules leave no room for interpretation: those searching must also act correctly.