Ava Romero
In golf, a gimme refers to a short putt that a golfer asks their opponent to count as made, meaning they don't have to physically stroke the ball into the cup. While gimmes are not officially allowed under the Rules of Golf, they are commonly used in recreational rounds, particularly among friends, to speed up play. In competitive formats, gimmes are generally not permitted, except in match play, where an opponent may concede a short putt. The etiquette around gimmes is often based on tradition and unwritten rules, with golfers adopting different approaches depending on their group and the situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A gimme is a short putt that is conceded by an opponent because it is deemed unmissable. |
| Use | Speeds up play. |
| Rules | Not allowed under the official rules of golf. |
| Rules | Permitted in match play. |
| Rules | Not permitted in medal (stroke) play, stableford competition or any other format in which a player's handicap is calculated. |
| Rules | Must be awarded by the opponent before it is accepted. |
| Rules | Not allowed in handicapped, club competition (match play aside). |
| Rules | Not allowed in sanctioned match play events. |
| Length | "Inside the leather" is a common rule, meaning shorter than the length of the grip on the top end of the putter. |
| Length | Some sources state 18" as the upper limit, with 2' being the absolute maximum. |
| Length | Some sources state 3' or 4' as the maximum. |
| Length | Some sources state that the length of the putter is used as the gimme measurement stick. |
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What You'll Learn
Gimmes are not allowed under the official rules of golf
Although gimmes are commonplace in casual rounds of golf, they are technically not allowed under the official rules of golf. A gimme is a short putt that one golfer asks another golfer or golfers to count as made, without forcing the player to actually stroke the ball into the cup. The name "gimme" is derived from "give me", as in "will you give me this putt?".
Gimmes are often used in recreational golf to speed up play, but they are not permitted in any competitive format, except for match play. In match play, a gimme can be awarded by an opponent, but it must be clearly communicated and accepted before it is taken. It is important to note that the concession of putts is not permitted when posting a general play score for handicapping purposes, and golfers must complete each hole in full, including putting out on every green.
The rules for official match play state that a "concession is only made when it is clearly communicated". This means that if a golfer picks up their ball before their opponent has verbally conceded the putt, it is considered a forfeit of the round in stroke play. While gimmes are not officially allowed, they are a common practice in friendly rounds of golf and can be used to speed up play and maintain a good pace for the group.
However, it is essential to be mindful of other golfers' preferences and skills when considering gimmes. Some golfers may prefer to putt everything to maintain their handicap accuracy or to avoid uncomfortable situations. Additionally, in competitive formats other than match play, gimmes are not permitted, and golfers must complete each hole in its entirety.
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But they are permitted in match play
While gimmes are generally not allowed in golf, they are permitted in match play. A gimme is a short putt that is conceded by an opponent because it is deemed unmissable. It is counted as a shot, but the player does not actually play it. The phrase "gimme" is believed to be derived from "give me", as in "will you give me this putt?".
Gimmes are based on tradition, not rules, and different groups of golfers may have different ways of playing them. Some golfers may be more or less generous with gimmes depending on the situation and the people they are playing with. For example, you may be more inclined to offer a gimme to your future father-in-law or your boss than to your arch-enemy.
In match play, a gimme must be awarded by your opponent before you accept it. It is important to clarify the length of putts that are considered gimmes before beginning a game with strangers. While there is no official rule, a common standard is that a putt must be shorter than the length of the grip on the top end of the putter to be considered a gimme.
Gimmes are often used to speed up play, especially when there are other groups of golfers waiting behind. However, it is worth noting that gimmes are not allowed when posting a general play score for handicapping purposes. In this case, golfers must complete each hole in full and putt out on every green.
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Gimmes are commonly used in recreational golf to speed up play
Although gimmes are not allowed under the official rules of golf, they are commonly used in recreational rounds of the game, especially in casual matches between friends. A gimme is a short putt that one golfer asks another golfer or golfers to count as made, without having to physically make the shot. The term is believed to be derived from the phrase "give me", as in "will you give me this putt?".
Gimmes are used to speed up play, especially when there are other groups of golfers waiting to play. They are also considered a gentlemanly approach to the game. However, some golfers choose not to use gimmes, even in casual rounds, as they can cause confusion and discomfort, especially when money is at stake.
Gimmes are not permitted in any competitive format other than match play. This includes medal (stroke) play, stableford competition, or any other format in which a player's handicap is calculated. In match play, a gimme is a putt that is conceded by an opponent because it is deemed unmissable. It is still counted as a shot, but the player does not have to physically play it.
While gimmes are not officially recognised by the rules of golf, there are some unwritten rules and traditions that golfers follow when it comes to gimmes. For example, it is generally considered good etiquette to accept a gimme if it is offered, and to only offer a gimme if you truly believe the putt is a foregone conclusion. Additionally, it is important to communicate clearly when conceding a putt to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
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A gimme is a short putt conceded by an opponent because it is deemed unmissable
Although gimmes are never allowed under the official rules of golf, they are commonly used in recreational golf as a way to speed up play. A gimme is a short putt conceded by an opponent because it is deemed unmissable. It is still counted as a shot, but the player does not actually go through the motions of playing it. The origin of the phrase is not specifically known, but it is believed to have derived from the term "give me" as in, "will you give me this putt?" if asked by an opponent.
Gimmes are based on tradition, not rules, and different groups of golfers have different ways of playing them. Some golfers use the "`inside the leather'" rule, which means that if a putt is shorter than the length of the grip on the top end of the putter, or shorter than the length of the putter from the clubhead up the shaft to the bottom of the grip, it is a gimme. Others use a maximum distance limit, such as 18 inches or 2 feet.
In match play, a gimme can only be awarded by an opponent, not assumed or taken by a player. In other competitive formats such as medal (stroke) play, stableford competition, or any other format in which a player's handicap is calculated, gimmes are not permitted. Golfers must complete each hole in full, including finishing each putt regardless of its length.
While gimmes can be a gentlemanly approach to the game and speed up play, some golfers prefer to putt everything out to avoid any potential awkwardness or confusion. It is perfectly legitimate to decline a gimme, and some golfers may feel obliged to show compassion to opponents who struggle with short putts. Ultimately, the decision to give or accept a gimme depends on the specific situation and the golfers involved.
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The length of a gimme varies depending on the group of golfers
While gimmes are not allowed in professional golf, they are common in casual rounds of golf between friends. The length of a gimme varies depending on the group of golfers. Some golfers consider a gimme to be a putt that is less than the length of a putter, while others may consider a shorter distance, such as the length of the grip on the top end of the putter, to be a gimme. Some golfers may also consider a gimme to be a putt that is within 2.5 feet or even less than one foot. Ultimately, there are no official rules regarding gimmes, and it is up to the players to decide on the length of a gimme before starting their round.
In match play, a golfer can concede a putt to their opponent, which is different from a gimme. Conceded putts are an approved part of match play and are covered by the Rules of Golf, whereas gimmes are unofficial and based on tradition. When a golfer is granted a conceded putt, their opponent tells them to count the putt as made and pick up their golf ball. On the other hand, a gimme is typically requested by the golfer who is about to putt, although it is better to allow the opponent to offer it as an act of goodwill and sportsmanship.
It is important to note that gimmes are not allowed in any competitive format other than match play. This includes medal (stroke) play, stableford competition, and any other format where a player's handicap is calculated. Additionally, golfers who are entering their score into the GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) should not take gimmes, as conceded putts are not permitted when posting a score for handicapping purposes.
While the length of a gimme may vary, it is generally agreed that it is a very short putt that is considered unmissable. By granting a gimme, golfers can speed up the game and improve the flow of play. However, asking for a gimme may be seen as a lack of etiquette, and it is generally better to allow your opponent to offer it to you.
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Frequently asked questions
Gimmes are not allowed under the official rules of golf. However, in a casual round among friends, you can ask for a gimme anytime you want.
A gimme is a short putt that one golfer asks another golfer or golfers to count as made. In other words, your playing companions give you the putt without forcing you to actually stroke the ball into the cup.
There are differing opinions on this. Some say that gimmes should be taken when there are two groups waiting on the tee box and you're still putting. Others say that you should never ask for a gimme.
The origin of the phrase is not specifically known but it is believed to have derived from the term "give me" as in, "will you give me this putt?" if asked by an opponent.
Yes, some golfers believe that gimmes are only for people who don't have a handicap or keep score.
