Situations > Lost Ball

• Definition: Lost
• A player's ball is lost if it is not found within 3 minutes of searching for it. Definition and 18.2a(1)
• Time spent identifying a ball and playing a wrong ball does not count as part of the player's 3 minute search time. 18.2a(1)/1
• Time spent playing a provisional ball does count as part of the player's 3 minute search time. Lost/3
• A player is not required to search for their original ball, but if a ball is found the player must promptly attempt to identify it. 18.2a(1)
• A player's ball is considered lost and out of play (a wrong ball) when a provisional ball is played from a point nearer the hole than where the original ball is thought to be (not where the original ball is found). 18.3c(2)
• A player's ball is considered lost and out of play (a wrong ball) when another ball (other than a provisional ball or second ball) has been put into play under any Rule. 18.3c(2)
• A ball may not be declared lost. Lost/4