At our recent committee meeting it was suggested that we could add an occasional and (hopefully) light hearted, but informative, review of some of the R&A rules, and how we should interpret them when we are on the course. This is particularly important if we are playing in a handicap qualifying competition, and somewhat less so in a social competition. Often when we play in small groups it is easy to overlook some of the golfing guidelines that we should be adhering to. The committee are hoping to provide examples of situations that we often find ourselves in at Bunsay, especially when related to our course features, and provide guidance on what is and is not permitted under R&A rules. For this week we are going to focus on one of the rules most often seen to be overlooked on our course – the three minute rule for a lost ball.
Particularly at this time of year, when there are plenty of leaves around, it is very easy to lose a ball in the rough.
We arrive at the location we think is where the ball finished up, but we can’t see it immediately.
We wander around a bit, looking, and maybe our playing partners come and join in the search.
Nobody particularly pays particular attention to the time elapsed, and it is so easy to overrun the three minutes that is allowed for this search.
If the ball is found then it is played, and everyone carries on.
If not well maybe the player played a provisional shot(?) so goes to play that instead, or they blob that hole (in a stableford).
I know you are all aware that this scenario is not right, but happens frequently, so how do we tackle it fairly? This is our recommendation:
When you see your ball go into the rough you, and your playing partners, should assume that a search may be needed.
We suggest playing a provisional ball in case the first cannot be found.
Reach the point on the fairway closest to where you think the first ball is, and where you wish to start your search from.
Can you see it? If not, then ask for help in searching from the nearest player. No one will mind helping out.
A three minute period begins from the point you start searching. We suggest you set up a 3 minute timer on your phone so that it is quickly and easily available.
If at the end of the three minutes the ball has not been found then it is declared lost. (And yes – a little additional time is allowed if a ball is found and needs to be identified, whether it is, or isn’t, your ball)
If not found then continue your play with the provisional ball.
