Rules of Golf: Lost Ball
Unfortunately the lost ball rule occurs too often for many golfers. There are negative side-effects to a lost ball. For one, the penalty for a lost ball is very stiff. Also, a lost ball can affect the speed of play if everyone spends too much time looking for their golf ball.
A golfer has five minutes to find a lost golf ball. After five minutes are up and the ball has not been found the ball is now ‘lost’.
The penalty for a lost ball is stroke and distance. A player who lost a ball must add one stroke to their score. Obviously this is the stroke element. The player also has to play their next shot for the exact spot they last struck the ball, the distance element.
This is the only option for a lost ball. Other rules like water hazards or an unplayable lie provide the golfer with options where they can play their next shot.
Tip to speed up play: If you believe your ball may be lost always play a ‘provisional’. A provisional is a ball that is introduced into ball temporarily. The provisional is hit from the spot you last played. If your ball is found then no penalty has occurred and you play the original ball. If the original ball becomes lost then you play the provisional ball. The provisional ball takes care of the distance element of the rule and now you add a stroke penalty.
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Don’t forget that when you play a provisional ball to tell your playing partners of your intention to do so. Failure to announce the provisional ball will make the ball “in play” and your initial ball lost.Also don’t forget to add the stroke to your score played with the provisional ball plus the penalty stroke.
Good call on announcing to your partners that you are playing a provisional and that it must be declared a provisional prior to hitting.
I never knew you could do that. I thought it was just look for your lost ball.
Oh i know all about this rule. I must have the record for most lost balls in a career. All joking aside very important rule.
Information good to know indeed, not all golfers know about this since this will happen now and then in your golf career, I sure know by own experience
Has the lost ball rule changed in the last 40 years. I have been playing for a long time and remember that the rule was that you dropped the ball in the area that it was lost and added a 2 stroke penalty. I really thought that the loss of distance was for OB with a one stroke penalty. Where did I lose my mind? Yes, I am a senior.
No Don you did not lose your mind. I have been playing golf for over 25 years and the rule has always remained the same. However for the golf who plays for recreation purposes only going near the point the where you lost the ball is fine. Probably speeds up play. In fact by not play the rule by the book (stroke and distance) the breach clause says the penalty is 2 strokes.
what if you don’t take a provisional ball and realized you lost the ball?, it’s two strokes right?
what happens wen you deem your ball lost,[but did not hit a provisional off the tee]then find it
Was the ball found in the 5 minute time limit? if yes then there is no penalty and keep playing or if it took longer than 5 minutes it is considered lost and you need to take a penalty stroke and play again from the where you last played.
Any time the ball is said to be lost you must replay from your last spot. If a ball is re-teed/replayed without declaring it a provisional then the ball that was just re-teed/replayed is considered in play and a penalty stroke must be added. For a ball to be a provisional you must let your playing partner know and stating clearly that you are hitting a provisional. Saying “I am hitting another” will not be sufficient. The word provisional must be said prior to hitting the ball.
To make a long answer short - If you hit a ball and declare a provisional the lost ball penalty applies even if you find the original ball.