Making A Stroke > Searching/Identifying
- A player has 3 minutes to find their ball. Additional time is allowed to reach and identify the ball. Lost, 18.2a(1)
- An additional minute is the amount of time a player has to identify their ball after the 3 minute search time has elapsed. (2023) Clarification 18.2a(1)/3
- Time spent playing a wrong ball does not count as part of the player's 3 minute search time. 18.2a(1)/1
- Time spent searching for a player's ball while play is suspended is counted as part of the player's 3 minute search time. Clarification 18.2a(1)/1
- Time spent playing a provisional ball does count as part of the player's 3 minute search time. Lost/1
- There is no penalty on anyone for accidentally moving a ball while trying to find or identify a ball. This includes removing loose impediments and movable obstructions. 7.4
- A ball moved while searching must be replaced. If the exact spot is not known it must be estimated and placed. 7.4
- If loose impediments are moved while searching for a ball, the loose impediments do not need to be replaced. 7.1a
- The conditions affecting the stroke may be improved while fairly searching for a ball. 7.1a
- When a ball is buried in sand, a small portion of the ball may be left visible for the player to see. 7.1b
- A ball may be cleaned only to the extent necessary to identify it. 7.3
- The ball must be marked before it is lifted to be identified. 7.3
