Rules of Golf explained: I’m looking for two balls – do I have three minutes for each?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that stump us. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.
Reader Steve Forrest emailed me this scenario: “I was playing in a stroke play competition last year. I drove into some trees and rough about 180 yards off the tee to the left and decided to play a provisional – declaring so to my playing partner.
“It was a similar shot, but possibly went 10 to 15 yards further into more trees and rough. I spent maybe two minutes looking for the first ball with the aid of my partner.
“Conscious of the time, I walked forward to where I thought my provisional would be but, after only a very short look, I turned back to have final look for my original ball.
“My playing partner had wandered off and, thinking my three minutes was up, I subsequently no returned. After my partner played, I asked him if he thought I’d used my three minutes and he replied that I had.
“My question is: Did I have another three minutes to look for the provisional and would your answer be different if my provisional was on the other side of the fairway?”
Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says…
There I was thinking that provisionals were always perfect shots too. There’s actually an interpretation to the definition of ‘Lost’ that covers this exact situation.
So when a player has played two balls and is searching for both – such as the ball in play and a provisional – whether you get two separate three-minute search times depends on how close the balls are to each other.
“If the balls are in the same area where they can be searched for at the same time, the player is allowed only three minutes to search for both balls.
“However, if the balls are in different areas – such as opposite sides of the fairway – the player is allowed a three-minute search time for each ball.”
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
