[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] Madsen's Three-Minute Ball Search

Scottish Open Final Day: Tee Shot Error on the 18th Hole
Ball Lost in Left Rough, Failed to Find Within 3 Minutes
A Par Would Have Secured Tied 3rd, Triple Bogey Drops to 6th

Golf is a sport without referees. It is known as a "gentleman's sport," where golfers are responsible for following the rules themselves as they play. The rules of golf are designed as "assistants" to help guide play. If you understand them well and use them appropriately, they can be a significant help in managing your score. These are golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

Nana Mascen shows a disappointed expression after missing a putt on the 3rd hole of the 4th round at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open. Ayrshire, Scotland - Photo by AP Yonhap News

Nana Madsen from Denmark cried on the final hole. On July 27 (local time), at Dundonald Links (par 72, 6,538 yards) in Ayrshire, Scotland, she finished in sixth place at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open on the LPGA Tour, which had a total prize fund of 2 million dollars. She was in third place up to the 17th hole on the final day, but a mistake on her tee shot at the 18th hole (par 5) caused her to fall back.

Madsen's tee shot hooked to the left. The ball landed in deep rough, making it difficult to find. After hitting a provisional ball, Madsen tried to locate her original ball but ultimately could not find it. This hole is one where reaching the green in two shots is possible if the tee shot is accurate. However, after her mistake off the tee, she ended up recording a triple bogey. In an instant, her position dropped from third to sixth place.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) revised the golf rules in 2019. To "speed up" play, they significantly reduced the time allowed to search for a ball. Previously, players were given up to five minutes. Now, the limit is three minutes. If you cannot find your ball within three minutes, it is considered a lost ball. You must return to the spot where you last played, take a one-stroke penalty, and continue play from there.