When is Your Ball Considered Lost?

Please login to bookmark

Please login to access.

When is Your Ball Considered Lost?

Marcela Smith from Girlfriends Guide to Golf explains when a golf ball is defined as lost with a stroke and distance penalty.

Under Rule 18.2a in the Rules of Golf, your ball is defined as lost if not found within 3 minutes of when the player or her caddie begins to search for it. The only option is to go back to the location of your last shot, and take a drop under stroke and distance.

All our lessons are provided ad-free thanks to member & instructor support. Join the Women's Golf community

Love this lesson? Unlock unlimited access to our full library and community by becoming a member.

Ready to take your game to the next level? Join our membership for personalized feedback and exclusive content.

Get more expert tips like these! Join our community of women golfers and elevate your skills.

Imagine having access to 28 leading female instructors. Become a member and transform your game today.

Don't miss out on more valuable lessons. Join our membership for a supportive community and exclusive downloads.

Want to save your favorite lessons and track your progress? Join our membership and unlock these features.

Discover a community that understands your golfing journey. Join our membership for expert advice and support.

This is just a glimpse of what's waiting for you inside. Become a member and access our full range of lessons and courses.

Ready for more consistent results? Join our membership for structured coaching programs and personalized swing reviews.

Your golf improvement starts here. Join our membership and unlock a world of expert instruction and community support.

Your Instructor

Marcela Smith

See Bio and More Posts

Message from the Editor

October Member's Getaway

Get ready for refreshing seabreezes, pristine fairways and fabulous connections! WOMEN'S GOLF.com members are invited to sunny Florida for a casual & fun women's golf getaway. Enjoy 4 days and 3 nights at the spectacular Hammock Beach Resort & Spa, a beach side resort in Palm Coast Florida. Easily accessible from MCO, JAX, DAB and a short drive from the west coast of Florida.