Rule MLR-E-5

This rule applies as of 1/7/25. The purpose of this rule is to improve pace of play by avoiding the need to go back to play a shot if ball is lost or OOB.

Summary:

The 3 minute rule when looking for a ball – after 3 minutes if not found the ball is LOST and cannot be played. If you are using your phone to score, click on the “Round Time” top left of phone and a 3 minute counter will open.

  • Lost Ball – 3 minute rule applies.
    • Ball seen to strike a tree and is lost – the tree is Point A
    • Point B is the same distance to pin as point A on the edge of fairway
    • Take relief anywhere in pink zone which includes 2 club lenghts from edge of fairway
    • If ball does not strike an object the Player and Marker estimate where the ball would be and that is point A
    • Point B is on the edge of fairway same distance as point A to pin.
    • Take a drop and add 2 shots
  • Ball lost in Shrub
    • Same as above where the middle of the shrub is point A
  • Ball Out Of Bounds
    • Point A is where ball crosses OOB line
    • Point B is nearest edge of fairway that is same distance to pin as point A
    • Take a drop in pink zone which includes 2 club lenghts on fairway from Point B
    • Add 2 shots
    • Note if ball goes OOB past the green, the nearest edge of fairway (point B) is the same distance as point A to pin.
  • Provisional Ball – you have the option to play a provisional ball before leaving your location and MLR-E-5 will not apply. You have 3 minutes to locate your ball or else the provisional ball becomes the ball in play. If the original ball and the provisional ball are both lost or OOB, rule MLR-E-5 can be applied to the provisional ball.
  • EXCEPTIONS
    • This rule does not apply to balls in a penalty area
    • Does not apply to unplayable ball
    • If you did not play a provisional ball and want to return to previous location to do so,and the following group are ready to play, you will have to call them through before playing on.