Rule #7 – Ball Search

July 20, 2021 Admin

This week, we will focus on Rule #7 – BALL SEARCH: Finding and Identifying Ball.

In the new rules of golf from 2019, there are three key changes to this rule:

1. Search time

Your search time has been reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. The 3-minute search time only starts when the player (or player’s caddie) begins his search, regardless if it’s the players turn to play or not. Also, anyone can help search for the ball and it’s the player’s responsibility to tell others where to search because, if a ball is found by anyone in play, that ball is still in play and if the player hit a provisional shot, the player cannot decide to play the provisional.
The pace of play is the main reason, with the added hope that it will also encourage people to play provisional balls more often to reduce the risk of having to do the long walk back.
In a situation where a player plays two provisional balls because there is risk both the original and 1st provisional may be lost, the player have 3 minutes to find the original ball and if after 3 minutes, cannot find the original ball, the player has ANOTHER 3 minutes to find his first provisional ball before having to abandon that one as well.

2. Ball moved during search

Previously, if you move your ball when searching for it, you incurred a one-stroke penalty and had to drop it to return it to play if the exact original spot is unknown. However, in 2019, the rule changed and there is no longer a penalty for such accidental movement and the ball must be replaced in its original spot and lie, which must be estimated if the exact spot is not known.
The reason for this change is because there was a bit of a disincentive for the player to search too thoroughly because of the risk of a penalty that wouldn’t apply to others when the ball was moved accidentally.
Also, replacing rather than dropping will ensure the player faces the original lie, rather than potentially benefiting or impacted from the new lie.

3. Lifting ball to identify or inspect it

Previously, if you wished to lift your ball to identify or inspect it, you had to advise your opponent of fellow competitor of your intentions and allow them to observe the marking, lifting and replacing. But in 2019, no longer have to announce your intention to mark and lift your ball to another person but will still be penalized if you do so without good reason.
One of golf’s most commonly broken Rules has been softened a little but those guilty of simply bending down and picking their ball up to identify it should still be aware of their obligation under the Rules to first mark the ball before lifting it.
A good example of this rule was the Patrick Reed situation at the Farmer’s insurance open in late January when he claimed an embedded ball (I will leave you to decide if the ball was embedded). Although Patrick followed the rules, his reputation left some wondering his actions. In the same tournament, Rory McIlroy did the exact same thing and was not scrutinized. The moral of this is, the game of golf is a game of honour as stated in rule 1.2a – “Acting with integrity” by following the rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play. Sometimes, although the rules do not require communication with playing partners, it is always a good idea to inform others of your actions.

As always, we hope you have a great week on the links and wish you all straight drives and one putts.

Next week, we will review Rule #8 – Course played as it is found.

Until then,

Mario Paradis & Michael Alderman