When Does the Clock Start When Searching for Lost Ball?

[humblepeasant]

For the 3 minutes you get to search for your ball, when exactly does the clock start? Thanks!

[DrvFrShow]

When you start actively looking for it. Once you identify a ball as yours the clock stops. If only two minutes have passed, and you discover that the ball was not yours before you hit, you have one minute to find your correct ball. 

The clock stops if you let a group play through. Or if play is suspended. 

But the clock starts when you start actively looking for it. i.e. when you reach the area where you suspect your ball was. If you use all three minutes there and fail to find it, the ball is then declared lost and you should return to the spot where you last hit and play another ball. Or follow a local rule regarding lost balls for pace of play if one is in place and you're not in a competition.