Miles Bennett
In golf, a gimme refers to a putt that is so short that players consider it unmissable. Instead of making the shot, the player can simply pick up their ball and count it as holed. The term gimme is derived from the phrase give me, and is generally regarded as a gentlemanly approach to the game. Gimmes are not a part of the Rules of Golf, and are considered an unofficial counterpart to conceded putts, which are allowed in match play. In professional golf, gimmes are more common in social games between regular partners than in competitive tournaments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A putt so short that players deem it unmissable and allow the one who needs to putt to pick the ball up and count it as holed |
| Etymology | The term "gimme" derives from "give me" |
| Usage | Gimmes are more common outside of the professional game, often being used in social games between regular playing partners |
| Rules | Gimmes are not covered by the Rules of Golf, unlike conceded putts |
| Distance | There is no official distance for a gimme, but it is commonly considered to be within 1-2 feet or putter length |
| Purpose | Gimmes exist to speed up the game and are considered an act of sportsmanship and courtesy |
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What You'll Learn
What is a gimme in golf?
A gimme in golf is a putt that is deemed so short that players consider it unmissable. Instead of making your partner roll the ball into the hole, you can give them the shot and count it as holed. The term gimme is derived from "give me" – a golfer with a one-foot putt can ask their competitors, "That's a gimme?".
Gimme in golf is meant to speed up the game. Instead of waiting and lining up an unmissable putt, a gimme allows you to pick up the ball and move on to the next tee. It is an unofficial stroke-play counterpart to match play's conceded putts.
Gimmes are not a part of pro golf. They are also not a part of the Rules of Golf, unlike conceded putts. Conceded putts exist as an approved part of match play, but not stroke play.
There is no right or wrong definition of a gimme, but it is commonly considered a gimme if it is inside the grip. This means that if you lay the putter face in the hole, the ball needs to be anywhere along the metal shaft to be a gimme. If it lies outside the shaft to where the grip starts, then it is not a gimme.
It is good to have an understanding of gimmes before teeing off. Whether you agree to award every putt within a putter-length of the hole as a gimme or decide on a hole-by-hole basis, you should be clear about your mutual expectations before starting a round.
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Are gimmes allowed in pro golf?
A gimme in golf is a putt that is so short that players consider it unmissable. Instead of making their partner roll the ball into the hole, they can give them the shot and count it as holed. The term "gimme" comes from "give me", as in "will you give me that one?". A golfer with a one-foot putt can ask their competitors if that's a gimme, or their opponents can tell them that it counts as one.
Gimmes are not an official part of the Rules of Golf, and they are illegal. However, conceded putts are allowed, and the two are similar. Conceded putts are an approved part of match play, but not stroke play. When playing match play, your opponent can tell you to count the putt as made and pick up your golf ball. You can't ask for a concession, but you can request a gimme, although it's better if your opponent offers it to you.
Gimmes are more common outside of professional golf, such as in social games between regular partners. They can be used to speed up play, make the game more relaxing, and make it more enjoyable. However, some people consider gimmes to be cheating.
There is no official distance for a gimme, but it is usually considered to be within 1-2 feet or putter length. Some people consider anything inside the grip of the putter to be a gimme, while others say it should be within 18 inches or 2 feet at most.
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What is the difference between a gimme and a conceded putt?
Although they are similar, there is a difference between gimme putts and conceded putts. Conceded putts exist as an approved part of match play, but not stroke play, and the Rules of Golf cover them. Gimmies are not covered by the Rules of Golf and are an unofficial counterpart to match play's conceded putts. In a match play setting, when your opponent tells you to count the putt as made and pick up your golf ball, that is a conceded putt. Your opponent can grant you a concession, but you can't ask them to concede a putt.
Gimmies are the mirror image of concessions. You can request a gimme in golf, although it is better to allow your opponent to grant it to you. A gimme is more of a gentleman's agreement within the game. It is on the player who is not about to putt to allow their opponent to pick up their ball and count it. The term gimme derives from "give me"—a golfer with a one-foot putt can ask their competitors, "that's a gimme?"
Gimmies exist to speed up the game. Instead of waiting and lining up an unmissable putt, a gimme allows a player to pick up their ball and move on to the next tee. There are no gimmes in pro golf, but there are concessions. You will not see a concession granted in major stroke play competitions such as the British Open or US Masters. However, in match play tournaments such as the Ryder Cup, they are regular.
Gimmies are for recreational golf, and they are a way to keep the game moving. They are not part of the official rules and are more of a mutual agreement between players. Conceded putts, on the other hand, are an official part of match play and are governed by the Rules of Golf.
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What is the ideal distance for a gimme?
When it comes to the world of golf, the concept of a "gimme" is an interesting and sometimes debated topic. A "gimme" refers to a short putt that is conceded by an opponent or agreed upon by players in a friendly match, where the putt is considered to be easily makeable and doesn't need to be formally putted out. While gimmes are not allowed in professional tournament play, they are a common occurrence in casual and recreational golf. So, what is the ideal distance for a gimme?
Generally, a putt within 18 inches (45 cm) from the hole is considered the acceptable range for a gimme. This distance is widely recognized as a putt that even a professional golfer would have a very high probability of making. It is close enough that a tap-in is almost guaranteed, and conceding the putt speeds up the pace of play without significantly impacting the outcome of the match. This distance is also commonly used in match play formats, where the number of strokes taken on each hole is more crucial than the exact score.
However, the ideal distance for a gimme can vary depending on the skill level of the players involved and the context of the game. For example, in a casual round among friends of varying skill levels, a gimme of 24 inches (60 cm) or even slightly longer might be granted to less experienced players to maintain a good pace of play and encourage a fun, relaxed atmosphere. On the other hand, in a competitive amateur match between skilled golfers, the standard might be stricter, and gimmes might only be granted within a 12-inch (30 cm) range to maintain a higher level of integrity in the match.
It's important to note that gimmes are typically not granted on putts that have significant break or slope, even if they fall within the ideal distance range. This is because the break can still affect the roll of the ball, and conceding such putts may provide an unfair advantage. Additionally, in match play, gimmes are usually only given when the putt has no bearing on the outcome of the hole; if a putt could potentially affect the number of holes won or lost, it is typically not conceded, regardless of the distance.
Ultimately, the ideal distance for a gimme in golf depends on the mutual agreement and sportsmanship of the players involved. It is a gentleman's (or woman's) agreement that helps maintain the flow of the game and fosters a friendly and respectful atmosphere. While 18 inches is generally considered the standard, golfers should use their best judgment and be mindful of their playing partners' skills and comfort levels when conceding short putts.
Remember, while gimmes are a convenient way to speed up play and show courtesy to your playing partners, they should never be expected or demanded. Always respect the rules of golf and the integrity of the game, and above all, enjoy your time on the course!
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Are gimmes considered good etiquette?
The concept of a gimme in golf is supposed to be emblematic of the sport's "gentlemen's game" mantra. It is an unofficial act of goodwill and sportsmanship, speeding up the game for everyone on the course.
However, the etiquette around gimmes remains unwritten, and there is no consensus on what constitutes a gimme. Some sources suggest that a gimme is a putt that is within 2.5 feet, while others argue that it should be within the length of a putter or even just a few inches. Ultimately, it is up to the players to decide before starting a round what their mutual expectations are regarding gimmes.
While gimmes may be common in casual or recreational rounds, they are generally not considered good etiquette in competitive play or when playing for money. In these situations, it is expected that you putt everything out and do not rely on gimmes to improve your score.
Additionally, it is generally considered better not to ask for a gimme and instead allow your opponent to grant it to you. This can be a delicate balance, as refusing to accept a gimme offered by your opponent could be seen as poor sportsmanship.
Overall, while gimmes can be a friendly gesture in casual games, they are not appropriate in competitive or serious golf and should be used sparingly, if at all.
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Frequently asked questions
Gimmes are not allowed in competitive stroke play events. They are, however, more common in social games and outside the professional game.
A gimme is a putt that is so short that players deem it unmissable. The term derives from "give me", where a golfer can say to their competitors, "that's a gimme".
Conceded putts exist as an approved part of match play, but not stroke play. Gimmes are not approved in the Rules of Golf, but they are an unofficial stroke-play counterpart to match play's conceded putts.
