Three minutes are allowed to search for a lost ball – but when does the countdown actually begin according to golf rules?
Everyone knows the scene: a ball disappears into the thick rough, fellow players immediately rush to help search – while the player involved strolls behind. The question arises: when exactly does the clock start? Golf rules are clear: the search time only starts when the player or their caddie actively begins to search. According to Rule 18.2a, it does not count when other players or spectators start looking – the three minutes begin only when the player themselves starts 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 then must return to the previous spot with a penalty stroke.
Who Delays, Loses – How Golf Rules Enforce Search Time
Yet some golfers like to take their time. The rules answer this clearly: if a player deliberately delays to let their group do the initial search, they cannot claim a later start time for the search clock. The clock runs from when the player could have begun searching without delay. This keeps play fair and flowing smoothly.
Found Does Not Mean Identified
When a ball is discovered in time, the search ends—at least by time limit. But what if it is unclear whether it’s the correct ball? The rules allow a reasonable time to identify it. The ball can be lifted, marked, and lightly cleaned as long as the spot is marked. The key is that the find happens within three minutes; after that, players may take more time to confirm it is their ball.
If two identical balls lie in the search area, confusion can arise. The rules let the player decide which ball is provisional if the original cannot be clearly identified; the other ball is out of play.
Ball Moved? No Problem – Just Remember to Replace
In dense rough or sand, a ball may be accidentally moved during the search. The rules say this is penalty-free if it occurs during a normal search. The ball must simply be replaced in its original position—whether under branches or partly in sand. Golf rules leave no room for interpretation: searching players must act correctly.