Lost Disc: Three minute warning

The three minute warning does not start until every player on a card begins serching for the lost disc. If a player does not help and a group playing behind is waiting on them to find the disc, can the group call three minutes? And do the players not looking for the disc receive a courtesy violation penalty? I would not think that the group behind should wait an unexpected amount of time because one or more players will not look for a lost disc. I understand there are a few factors such as poison ivy etc. but where do you draw the line?

Jerry, three minutes starts when you arrive at the area of the lost disc:

"803.10A. A disc shall be declared lost if the player cannot locate it within three minutes after arriving at the spot where it was last seen by the group or an official. Two players or an official must note when the timing of three minutes begins.All players of the group must, upon request, assist in searching for the disc for the full three minutes before the disc is declared lost. The disc is considered lost immediately upon the expiration of the three minute time limit."

The three minute timing starts once the player who threw the disc arrives in the area the disc was last seen, not when all the players start looking.

In fact, the other players on the card don't have to look for the missing disc unless requested by the player who lost the disc. If so requested, the other players are then required to assist. I would guess that any player that refuses the request would be subject to some sort of courtesy violation, unless the player is looking for his or her own lost disc.

Goby,
your statement:
"The three minute timing starts once the player who threw the disc arrives in the area the disc was last seen, not when all the players start looking."

Rule:
"All players of the group must, upon request, assist in searching for the disc for the full three minutes before the disc is declared lost."

Doesn't this imply the three minutes could not start until all players are helping? If I am looking and nobody is helping and another player calles three minutes, I will make it clear that I require their assistance. Then when they "all" arive I will start the three minutes????

Does this make any sense?

Jerry, the timing officially starts when noted by at least two players or an official. Technically, you could look for hours, and then still have your three minutes once two players have stated that the three minutes has started.

To my way of thinking, once you are in the approximate area, and the timing has been noted, three minutes is all you have, regardless of whether the other players are helping you to look. If you look for two of those minutes, then request help, they only have to help for the remaining minute. It's up to you to request their help, and three minutes is three minutes from the start of the timing, regardless of their assistance.

Of course, the best thing to do is to realize that your disc is lost, immediately request help, then note the starting time once everyone has arrived. You then ensure they are helping for the full three minutes.

My opinion.

Hopefully we won't need help finding our disc's anytime soon./msgboard/images/clipart/happy.gif Thanks and may your disc always land in the fairways.

The rule states "...where it was last seen by the group or an official". If the group doesn't come over and estimate the approximate area, the three minutes cannot start. Once the group or officail say it was 'here', the three minutes can start, but only if called to start by two or more members of your group or an official. If the thrower is not out then they could possibly look for it until the last spot seen is determined. At the time the three minutes starts, you need to ask for help or you are out of luck.

[gnduke]

Even if they are not out, speed of play rules allow the "out" player to yield the "honors" to a player closer to the basket if asked to do so. The other players could finish out the hole before they all come over to help look for the lost disc and start the three minute clock.