rules query on searching for lost ball

[CMAC]

happened yesterday, teed off into thick rough, played provisional which also went into similar area of rough.
we start looking for 1st ball...........

so is it 5 mins for first ball and 5 mins for 2nd ball or 5 mins to find either as they are in the same area?

would it be a seperate 5 mins if they were further apart?

 

[palindromicbob]

5 minutes in total if close together.

5minutes for each ball if far apart, e.g.opposite sides of the fairway.

Decision 27/4

Now I hope you have played a provisional that is easily distinguished from the first ball you played. If you played a provisional of the same type/number etc with nothing to distinguish it from the first ball you have a problem if they end up beside each other.

 

[CMAC]

5 minutes in total if close together.

5minutes for each ball if far apart, e.g.opposite sides of the fairway.

Decision 27/4

Now I hope you have played a provisional that is easily distinguished from the first ball you played. If you played a provisional of the same type/number etc with nothing to distinguish it from the first ball you have a problem if they end up beside each other.

different markings of course, however, the answer sounds a bit wooly....'far apart' what determines far apart? 20 yards is far apart and as you cant find them straight away then who's to say they're not 5 yds or 50 yds apart?

 

[MashieNiblick]

This is covered by decision 27/4 Time Permitted for Search for Original Ball and Provisional Ball

Q. Is a player allowed five minutes to search for his original ball and five more minutes to search for his provisional ball, or just a total of five minutes?

A. If the two balls are so close together that, in effect, both balls would be searched for simultaneously, a total of five minutes for search is allowed. Otherwise, the player is allowed to search five minutes for each ball.

I guess you just have to exercise some discretion and apply common sense.

Interstingly at the weekend we were discussing how seldom we actually time a search. Usually it's just a matter of guessing that we have been looking for about 5 minutes. I thought there might be a niche for a little timer for your golf bag, like a mini kitchen timer, pre set, that you can start and then it beeps after 5 mins (I don't wear a watch when I play).

 

[CMAC]

Thanks mashie, even the official rule leaves itself open to interpretation!

Most people expect to find their ball quickly so don't time it, I don't know anyone ever who has timed it, most probably don't want to and a rough guess is fine for all of us. Carrying a timer just for lost ball searching is a bit like having your own policeman/referee with you, or if your the one with one do you adopt the referee stance!