What is the rule for a lost ball in golf?
B · Beginner · Lost balls, out of bounds and penalty relief · 9 of 13A lost ball is one not found within three minutes of the player or caddie starting to search. The player must add one penalty stroke and play again from the spot of the previous stroke. A ball known to be in a penalty area is not lost, and has its own relief.
How it works
- The only way forward for a lost ball is stroke and distance.
- Once the player puts another ball in play that way, the original ball is out of play, even if it is then found inside the three minutes.
- A ball is not treated as lost when it is known or virtually certain what happened to it. Then the player may take the relief that fits:
| What is known or virtually certain | Relief |
|---|---|
| The ball is in a penalty area | Penalty area relief, one stroke |
| The ball is in an abnormal course condition, such as ground under repair | Free relief |
| The ball is in or on a movable obstruction | Free relief |
| Someone or something moved it or carried it off | Free: a ball is placed on the original spot |
| It was played by another player as a wrong ball | Free: a ball is placed on the original spot |
- "Known or virtually certain" means there is conclusive evidence, or it is at least 95% likely. Possible or probable is not enough.
Tricky cases
The original ball was found soon after the player dropped another under stroke and distance. Which is in play?
The dropped ball. Once it is put in play the original "is no longer in play and must not be played".
The ball flew into thick trees and nobody saw where. Can the player drop beside the trees?
No. Without the optional Local Rule, the player must go back to where the last stroke was played.
The ball almost certainly went into the pond but was not found. Is it a lost ball?
No, if it is known or virtually certain to be in the penalty area. The player takes penalty area relief.
Why the rule exists
If a lost ball could be replaced near where it vanished, a wild shot into deep trouble would cost less than one found in a bad lie. Going back to the last spot removes any gain.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf | As above | G 18.2 |
| Clubs using an optional Local Rule | A drop near where the ball was lost, for two penalty strokes | C (Model Local Rule, not saved) |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 6.3c, 9.6, 15.2b, 16.1e, 17.1c, 18.1 and 18.2, and the Definitions of lost and known or virtually certain. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).