3 Minute Search

[Crazyface]

Sorry for the new thread but it's not the same question.

If a provisional ball is taken off the tee, or anywhere really, do you get 3 minutes search time for each ball, or just 3 minutes to search for either ball? It's tough to search for both when they are on opposite sides of the fairway.

 

[Foxholer]

Each!

 

[rulie]

Each!

Three minutes for each ball unless they are both in the same general area, where searching for one would also be searching for the other. In that case it would be three minutes total.
In the original posters case of a ball on each side of the fairway, it would be three minutes for each.

 

[Neilds]

If they are in the same general area it is 3 minutes in total, 3 minutes each if they are in different areas

Edit - Typed too slowly!!!

 

[rulefan]

If they are in the same area and you find the provisional within 3 minutes you have the balance in which to find the original

 

[Old Colner]

No need to search for provisionals, they always go down the middle of the fairway.

 

[IanM]

No need to search for provisionals, they always go down the middle of the fairway.

Post of the year. Absolutely!

 

[Crazyface]

Three minutes for each ball unless they are both in the same general area, where searching for one would also be searching for the other. In that case it would be three minutes total.
In the original posters case of a ball on each side of the fairway, it would be three minutes for each.

Cheers. I felt guilty when I found the second ball and made a double bogey for a point.

 

[Crazyface]

No need to search for provisionals, they always go down the middle of the fairway.

Usually, but not on this occasion. LOL

 

[salfordlad]

This is the Official guidance:
Lost/4 – Search Time When Searching for Two Balls
When a player has played two balls (such as the ball in play and a provisional ball) and is searching for both, whether the player is allowed two separate three-minute search times depends 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.

 

[chrisd]

Just to muddy the waters

Player A hits down the right rough, player B down the left rough. They decide to look for each others ball first as they understand that the 3 minutes only starts when the player (or caddy/partner etc) arrives to start looking for their ball.

Is there any rule being broken?

 

[rulefan]

Just to muddy the waters

Player A hits down the right rough, player B down the left rough. They decide to look for each others ball first as they understand that the 3 minutes only starts when the player (or caddy/partner etc) arrives to start looking for their ball.

Is there any rule being broken?

Probably 5.6 by both players

 

[Colin L]

Just to muddy the waters

Player A hits down the right rough, player B down the left rough. They decide to look for each others ball first as they understand that the 3 minutes only starts when the player (or caddy/partner etc) arrives to start looking for their ball.

Is there any rule being broken?

Interpretation Lost/2 - Player May Not Delay the Start of Search to Gain an Advantage
The three-minute search time for a ball starts when the player or his or her caddie (or the player's partner or partner's caddie) starts to search for it. The player may not delay the start of the search in order to gain an advantage by allowing other people to search on his or her behalf.

Tell them after three minutes of looking for each other's ball that both balls are lost.

 

[chrisd]

As usual, very quick and accurate responses - you rules guys are top notch!

 

[rulie]

Just to muddy the waters

Player A hits down the right rough, player B down the left rough. They decide to look for each others ball first as they understand that the 3 minutes only starts when the player (or caddy/partner etc) arrives to start looking for their ball.

Is there any rule being broken?

I think it's proper that the shorter ball be looked for first by both players, then both players look for the longer one.

 

[chrisd]

I think it's proper that the shorter ball be looked for first by both players, then both players look for the longer one.

In a real situation I'd agree, mine was just a "what if" based on a chat I had with friends

 

[salfordlad]

I think it's proper that the shorter ball be looked for first by both players, then both players look for the longer one.

An early decision to call the following group through may also be appropriate in this scenario.

 

[3offTheTee]

This is the Official guidance:
Lost/4 – Search Time When Searching for Two Balls
When a player has played two balls (such as the ball in play and a provisional ball) and is searching for both, whether the player is allowed two separate three-minute search times depends 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.

Sorry to be a pedant, however the balls are “lost” so the players looking do NOT know how close they are to each other! How is “same area” determined? Is it 2 metres/ 5 metres. Usually the rules are specific but don not think they are are in this case.

 

[rulefan]

Sorry to be a pedant, however the balls are “lost” so the players looking do NOT know how close they are to each other!

They are not "lost" yet.

How is “same area” determined? Is it 2 metres/ 5 metres. Usually the rules are specific but don not think they are are in this case.

It is a matter of judgement. You know it when you encounter it.

 

[3offTheTee]

They are not "lost" yet.


It is a matter of judgement. You know it when you encounter it.

Lost was in “ “ but surely judgement is subjective. Sorry and I know you are never wrong but how do different people know when they encounter it? If they KNEW when you encountered it players would not need to look!