What do I do if my ball is lost or out of bounds?

• Lost: a ball is lost if it isn't found within three minutes after you or your caddie start searching (Rule 18.2a(1)).
• Out of bounds: only when all of the ball is outside the boundary edge. The boundary is the course-side line between stakes at ground level, and the stakes or line themselves are out of bounds (Rule 18.2a(2)).

In either case you must take stroke-and-distance relief: add one penalty stroke and play again from where you made the previous stroke (Rule 18.2b). From the teeing area you may tee the ball; otherwise drop it near where you last played.

Exceptions: if it's known or virtually certain the ball is in a penalty area, was moved by an outside influence, or is in an obstruction or abnormal course condition, you can use the relief for that situation instead.

To save time, play a provisional ball whenever your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds.