Question on Looking for Lost Ball

[GB72]

Quick question in relation to looking for a ball that was a little wayward. In this instance, the ball had crossed the neighbouring fairway and I had to wait for a a fourball to tee off before I could go and look for it. This clearly took a few minutes but no sooner had I started my hunt when one of the pair I was playing against informed that my 5 minutes was up and the ball was lost. Now as this was better ball matchplay and my partner was in a decent position I made nothing of it but my question is, when do your five minutes allowed to find a ball start?

 

[freddielong]

Not when your playing partners seem to think

The rules clearly state that you are allowed 5 minutes to look for your ball, so when you were waiting at the other side of the fairway you were not looking for your ball.

I hope you beat them cheats

 

[bobmac]

This really bugs me.
New golfers being TOLD a ruling which is wrong, but as they are more experienced golfers, the newbie just accepts their word for it.
The next time you see them, give them hell !!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the rule is quite clear in that the time doesn't start until you are in the vicinity and start to look. This decision by your opponents is akin to having to wait after you played your shot for everyone else to tee off on the same hole. If your oppenents or partner hadn't played for 5 minutes would it have been a lost ball while you were still standing ont he tee. I very much doubt it. Never take the word of your opponents and if there is adispute, make a note of it and report it to the competition committee for ruling

 

[Herbie]

I have been in this same situation some years ago, only I wasn't so green. Two players had gone in the rough, my ball had strayed just as yours did, I too had to stand and wait as my ball was in the rough on their fairway, I also had to wait for the other chap in my group to find his ball, he did, he played and then his partner raised the same claim as you state. My reply was, "you are wrong, but we will take it to the pro at the end and I am happy with his decision.".....It was never raised again, we beat them and they disappeared anyway.

 

[mono217]

Did you beat the cheats.

Trying to tell you a rule thats not even true.

 

[rgs]

They were wrong.