Trevor Ng
A gimme in golf is a term used to refer to a putt that is deemed short enough to be unmissable. When a player's opponent concedes a gimme, the player can pick up their ball and count the putt as holed, thus speeding up the game. While there are no official rules regarding gimmes, they are generally considered an act of goodwill and sportsmanship. In match play, a golfer can concede a putt to their opponent, but this is not an official rule in stroke play. Gimmes are typically granted over short distances, with some sources suggesting that a distance of within 2.5 feet or less is considered a gimme.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A gimme is a putt so short that it is considered unmissable. |
| Distance | There is no official rule on the distance of a gimme. It is up to the players to decide. Some sources suggest within 2.5 feet, others suggest within the length of a putter, while others suggest within 2 feet. |
| Use | A gimme allows players to pick up the ball and move on to the next tee, speeding up the game. |
| Scoring | A gimme is still counted as a shot. |
| Gentleman's agreement | A gimme is considered an act of goodwill and sportsmanship. While it is not mandatory to offer a gimme, doing so shows that a player is considerate. |
| Requesting a gimme | While a player can request a gimme, it is generally considered better to allow the opponent to offer it. Requesting a gimme may be seen as a lack of etiquette. |
| Official rules | There are no official rules regarding gimmes, and they do not exist in the official Rules of Golf. Gimmes are not allowed in pro golf or in stroke play. |
| Conceded putts | Conceded putts are similar to gimmes but are an approved part of match play and are covered by the Rules of Golf. |
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What You'll Learn
- Definition: A gimme is a putt so short it's considered unmissable
- Gentleman's agreement: It's an act of goodwill and sportsmanship
- Distance: There's no set distance, but it's usually within 2.5 feet
- Conceded putts: These are similar to gimmes but are an approved part of match play
- Controversy: They can cause controversy, as seen in the 2015 Solheim Cup
Definition: A gimme is a putt so short it's considered unmissable
A gimme in golf is a putt so short that it is considered unmissable. Rather than making your partner roll the ball into the hole, you 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?"—and is considered a friendly gesture.
There are no official rules regarding gimmes, and they are not mentioned in the Rules of Golf. It is up to the players to decide whether to grant a gimme, and they are usually given in casual play. In stroke play, gimmes are incorrect, and in match play, they are not an approved part of the game. However, in match play, conceded putts are allowed, and a gimme can be considered the mirror image of a concession. In this case, it is better to allow your opponent to grant you a gimme rather than asking for one.
Gimmes are typically given over short distances, with some sources stating that a gimme is usually within 2.5 feet or less, while others suggest that it is within the length of a putter. However, there is no right or wrong distance for a gimme, and it is up to the players to agree on their mutual expectations before starting a round.
While gimmes can speed up the game and show good sportsmanship, they can also cause controversy, as seen in the 2015 Solheim Cup when American opponent Alison Lee assumed her putt had been conceded by her European opponents. Therefore, while gimmes are common in recreational golf, they are not typically given in professional competitions.
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Gentleman's agreement: It's an act of goodwill and sportsmanship
A "gimme" in golf is a putt that is so short that players deem it to be unmissable. Rather than making your partner roll the ball into the hole, you can give them the shot and count it as holed. The term "gimme" comes from "give me", as in "will you give me that shot?".
Granting a gimme to your competitor is an act of goodwill and sportsmanship. It shows that you are a considerate gentleman and want to play in good spirits. However, asking for a gimme is generally considered to show a lack of etiquette. There are no official rules regarding gimmes, and they are not mentioned in the Rules of Golf. It is up to the players to decide whether to grant a gimme, and over what distance. Some players will take measurements, while others will simply glance at the distance between the cup and the ball and make a judgement call.
Gimmes are commonly granted in match play, where they are known as "conceded putts". In this format, a golfer can concede a putt to their opponent, but the opponent cannot ask for a concession. In stroke play, gimmes are generally considered incorrect, although they can be given if all players agree.
Gimmes can be a source of controversy, as illustrated by an incident during the 2015 Solheim Cup. American player Alison Lee picked her ball up, assuming her opponents had conceded the putt, but Norwegian Suzann Pettersen insisted that she had not conceded, and the Americans lost the hole.
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Distance: There's no set distance, but it's usually within 2.5 feet
A gimme in golf is a putt that is considered short enough to be unmissable. When a gimme is granted, the player who needs to putt can simply pick up the ball and count the shot as holed, without actually putting it. The term "gimme" comes from "'give me", as in "will you give me that shot?" It is an act of goodwill and sportsmanship that can speed up the game.
There are no official rules regarding gimmes, and no set distance at which a putt is considered a gimme. It is up to the players to decide, and the distance can vary depending on the mutual agreement between players. However, it is generally considered that a putt within 2.5 feet is a gimme, although some players may have different thresholds. Some players may consider a putt to be a gimme if it is within the length of a putter, while others may only consider it a gimme if it is within a foot or less.
The purpose of a gimme is to save time by avoiding the need to line up and concentrate on a putt that is highly likely to be made. It is important to note that gimmes are typically only granted in casual or recreational play and are not common in competitive golf. In stroke play, gimmes are considered incorrect, and in match play, they are not an official part of the rules.
While it is generally better to allow your opponent to offer a gimme rather than requesting one, gimmes can be a way to show sportsmanship and play in good spirits. However, it is important to have a mutual understanding with your playing partners about gimmes before starting a round to avoid any confusion or disagreement during the game.
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Conceded putts: These are similar to gimmes but are an approved part of match play
Conceded putts are an integral part of match play golf and are covered by the Rules of Golf. They are distinct from gimmes, which are unofficial and more akin to a gentleman's agreement between players. In match play, a golfer can concede a putt to their opponent, allowing them to pick up their ball and count the putt as made. This act of sportsmanship speeds up the game and fosters goodwill between players.
Conceded putts are not applicable in stroke play, where each stroke is counted and the lowest score wins. In stroke play, the ball must be holed to complete the score for that hole. However, gimmes are more common in this format, as they are an unofficial counterpart to conceded putts in match play. While there are no official rules regarding gimmes, they are generally considered putts within a certain distance, often less than a foot or the length of a putter, that are deemed unmissable.
The term "gimme" originates from "'give me,'" reflecting a player asking their opponent to concede the putt. Although gimmes are not officially recognised in the Rules of Golf, they are a common occurrence in recreational and professional match play. For example, in the 1969 Ryder Cup, Jack Nicklaus conceded a 2-foot putt to Tony Jacklin, resulting in a draw and America retaining the cup.
It is important to note that while gimmes can be requested, it is generally considered better to allow the opponent to offer the gimme. Asking for a gimme may be perceived as a lack of etiquette and sportsmanship. Ultimately, the use of conceded putts and gimmes in golf aims to expedite the game, foster goodwill among players, and maintain a smooth flow of play.
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Controversy: They can cause controversy, as seen in the 2015 Solheim Cup
A "gimme" in golf is a putt that is deemed short enough to be considered unmissable. This allows the player to pick up the ball and count the shot as holed, speeding up the game. While there are no official rules, it is generally considered that a putt within 2.5 feet is a gimme.
The 2015 Solheim Cup witnessed one of the biggest controversies in the match's history, now infamously known as "Gimmegate". The incident occurred on the final day between Suzann Pettersen and Charley Hull of Europe, and Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome of the US. With the match all square at the 17th hole, Lee missed a putt to win and then picked up her ball, assuming her close-range putt had been conceded. Hull began walking towards the next tee, but Pettersen claimed that Europe had not conceded the gimme, leading to the intervention of the match referee, who awarded the hole to the European team. This sparked outrage from the Americans and left players from both sides in tears, with Europe ultimately winning the final hole and the match.
The decision by Pettersen was heavily criticised, with US captain Juli Inkster labelling it as "disrespectful". In the aftermath, Europe's captain Carin Koch expressed regret over the handling of the situation, wishing they could have slowed things down and discussed it further. The incident, dubbed "Gimmegate", overshadowed the rest of the competition and sparked debates about the role of gimme putts in professional golf.
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Frequently asked questions
A "gimme" in golf is a putt so short that players deem 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"–“will you give me that one?” or "will you give me that shot?"
A "gimme" exists 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.
There are no official rules regarding the distance of a "gimme". It is up to the players to decide. Some sources suggest that a "gimme" is usually within 2.5 feet, while others claim it should be less than one foot.
"Gimmes" are not allowed in professional stroke play. However, they can be seen in professional match play, such as in the Ryder Cup.
