New Golf Rules Explained: Searching for a Lost Golf Ball

In 2019, the USGA, R&A, along with the input of the PGA tour and others, implemented thirty changes to the Rules of Golf. All with the goal of making the game more player friendly, easier to understand, and improve pace of play. Not all of the changes will apply at prestigious amateur competitions or the pro tours, which means you the recreational golfer will benefit the most of the rules changes.

To ensure you are informed Mr Topes Golf broke down the most important rules of golf changes, what they are and what they mean for you.

Golf Rule Explained: Time allowed to search for a lost ball

Old Rule: Players can search for their ball for up to five minutes before it is deemed lost.

New Rule: Players can search for up to three minutes before their ball is deemed lost.

How Does this Help You: Pace of play. Nobody likes playing with that golfer who searches for the ball as if it was made out of gold. One of the intentions of this rule is to persuade players toward hitting more provisional shots if their ball maybe lost. More provisionals will cut down on the amount of time spent searching for lost balls.