Rule 27-1a: Proceeding Unde Stroke and Distance. At any time, a player may, under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), i.e., proceed under penalty of stroke and distance.

Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if a player makes a stroke at a ball from the spot at which the original ball was last played, he is deemed to have proceeded under penalty of stroke and distance.

Rule 27-1c: Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes.

If a ball is lost as a result of not being found or identified as his by the player within five minutes after the player's side or his or their caddies have begun to search for it, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see rule 20-5).

Definition: A ball is deemed "lost" if:

• a. It is not found or identified as his by the player within five minutes after the player's side or his or their caddies have begun to search for it; or
• b. The payer has made a stroke at a provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place (see Rule 27-2b); or
• c. The player has put another ball into play under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 27-1a); or
• d. The player has put another ball into play because it is known or virtually certain that the ball, which has not been found, has been moved by an outside agency (see Rule 18-1), is in an obstruction (see Rule 24-3), is in an abnormal ground condition (see Rule 25-1c) or is in a water hazard (see Rule 26-1); or
• e. The player has made a stroke at a substituted ball.

Time spent in playing a wrong ball is not counted in the five-minute period allowed for search.

Lost Ball Scenario: Rule 27

In a Stroke Play Tournament...

Jim hit his drive into the woods. Jim cannot find his ball. Jim has up to five minutes to find his drive. If he cannot find his drive within five minutes, he must return to the tee box and hit his third shot.

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