Rules FAQs

Fairways and Rough (General Area)

Can't Find Ball You Think is Embedded

Q. I think my ball is stuck in the ground, but I can’t find it – how do I proceed?

A. If you can’t find your ball within three minutes, it is lost. Because it is lost, you must return to the spot of your previous stroke and play another ball for one penalty stroke (see Rule 18.2b).