What’s the penalty for a lost ball?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Off the tee & lost balls
Penalty: Stroke and distance
What’s the penalty for a lost ball?
PenaltyStroke and distance· under Rule 18.2
What to do
- 1Start timing your search as soon as you begin looking.
- 2If not found within three minutes, the ball is lost.
- 3Add one penalty stroke.
- 4Return to the spot of your previous shot and replay from there.
- 5Play a provisional ball beforehand to save time if the ball might be lost.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 18.2), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
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