You have three minutes from when you or your caddie begins searching. If the ball is not found in time, it is lost. The normal procedure is stroke and distance, so a properly announced provisional ball can save time when loss outside a penalty area is possible.
The clock does not necessarily start at the moment the shot is played. It starts when the player or caddie begins the search in the likely area.
When does the clock stop or pause?
Brief interruptions can suspend the search time in limited situations, such as play being stopped or the player moving aside because another player is about to play. Walking back to play a provisional does not generally create a fresh three minutes.
Finding a ball is not enough
The player must identify it as theirs. If a possible ball is found within the three minutes, the rules allow a reasonable time to reach and identify it, even if that happens just after the time expires.
What happens when it is lost?
A ball lost outside a penalty area requires stroke-and-distance relief. Do not drop near the estimated spot unless a model local rule has been adopted.
Use a provisional ball when the conditions allow it.
The essential point
Search efficiently and watch every shot. After three minutes the ball is lost, so a timely provisional is often the best protection against a long walk back.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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