MY GOLF BLUEPRINT
Lost balls and the three-minute search
Rule 18.2a · Official source checked 6 November 2026
A ball becomes lost when it is not found within the allowed three-minute search time. The normal consequence outside a penalty area is stroke and distance, subject to the Rules' exceptions.
On the course
- Start timing when the player or caddie begins searching.
- Identify a found ball within the time and identification provisions.
- Use the applicable procedure if the ball is lost.
Worked situation
A ball found after the search period has expired is not rescued simply because it is yours. Your provisional may already have become the ball in play.
Important distinction
Do not “declare” a ball lost as a substitute for the Rules. A ball not found is not automatically treated as in a penalty area without the required knowledge or virtual certainty.
Sources and further reading
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