Rule 18: Lost Ball or Out of Bounds
Lost Ball - A ball is lost if not found in three minutes after the player or their caddie begins to search for it. This is also a reminder to all players they only have 3 minutes to find their ball.
- The player must promptly attempt to identify the ball (see Rule 7.2) and is allowed a reasonable time to do so, even if that happens after the three-minute search time has ended.
- This includes a reasonable time to get to the ball if the player is not where the ball is found.
If the player does not identify their ball in that reasonable time, the ball is lost.
Out of Bounds - A ball at rest is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course.
A ball is in bounds when any part of the ball:
- Lies on or touches the ground or anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the boundary edge, or
- Is above the boundary edge or any other part of the course.
A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball on the course.
If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made.
In both circumstances, we strongly encourage a Provisional Ball is used which will help mitigate pace of play.
Specific details relating to Lost Ball or Out of Bounds can be found on the R&A website
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