Nina Caldwell
In golf, a gimme is a term used to describe a putt that is considered unmissable due to its short distance. The term is derived from the phrase give me, as in will you give me that shot? Gimmes are not official rules in golf and are more of a gentleman's agreement between players. They are used to speed up the game and are granted as an act of goodwill and sportsmanship. The distance at which a putt is considered a gimme varies, with some considering it to be within the length of a putter or about 2-2.5 feet, while others may have different criteria. Gimmes are generally not seen in professional golf or competitive play, but they are common in social and recreational rounds.
| 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 | Corruption of "give me" as in "will you give me that shot?" |
| Distance | Within 2.5 ft, within a putter's length, within a grip's length, or about 2 ft |
| Purpose | Speeds up the game for everyone on the golf course |
| Nature | Unofficial, based on mutual agreement and goodwill |
| Competition type | Stroke play, match play, or social competitions |
| Similar term | Concession |
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What You'll Learn
The definition of a gimme
A "gimme" in golf is a putt that is considered so short that players deem it 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" is derived from the phrase "give me", as in "will you give me that one?" or "give me that shot".
Gimmes are an unofficial stroke-play counterpart to match play's conceded putts. In match play, a golfer can concede a putt to their opponent, which is an approved part of the game. However, gimmes are not officially covered by the Rules of Golf. They are more of a gentleman's agreement between players, and there are no official rules regarding gimmes. It is up to the players to decide whether to grant a gimme, and there is no requirement to do so.
The purpose of a gimme is to speed up the game and improve the flow of play. Instead of waiting and lining up an unmissable putt, a gimme allows the player to pick up the ball and move on to the next tee. While gimmes are not common in professional golf, they are often seen in more social or recreational rounds.
There is no standard distance that defines a gimme, but it is generally considered to be within a putter's length or grip length of the hole. Some players may take the time to measure gimmes, while others will estimate the distance and decide whether it qualifies as a gimme. Ultimately, the definition of a gimme can vary depending on the players and their mutual expectations before starting a round.
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When to give a gimme
A "gimme" in golf is a putt that is deemed 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" is derived from "give me", as in, "will you give me that one?".
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 award a gimme and what distance qualifies as one. It is good practice to establish an understanding before teeing off on the first hole. Some players will decide to award every putt within a putter's length or grip length as a gimme, while others will decide on a hole-by-hole basis.
Gimmes are generally not given in professional golf or in tournaments, where the competition rules dictate whether gimmes are allowed. They are also not common when playing for money or in serious competitions.
When deciding whether to give a gimme, it is important to consider the skill level of the players involved. A distance that may be considered a gimme for a professional golfer might not be for an amateur or beginner golfer. Additionally, gimmes are typically given to speed up the game and as a sign of good sportsmanship. If you are playing with someone who is much better or worse than you, offering or accepting a gimme can help even the playing field and keep the game enjoyable for both parties.
It is generally considered better not to ask for a gimme, even in a recreational round, as it may be seen as a lack of etiquette. Instead, it is preferable for your opponent to offer the gimme as a gesture of goodwill. If your ball is within gimme range and your opponent remains silent, you should putt it out.
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Conceded putts vs gimmes
Conceded putts and gimmes are both part of the game of golf, but they are not the same thing. Conceded putts are an approved part of match play, but they do not exist in stroke play. In match play, a golfer can concede a putt to their opponent as a sporting gesture or a strategic move. The opponent must then accept the concession and not putt the ball. Conceding a putt is an act of goodwill and sportsmanship that can speed up the game. However, it is generally considered poor form to putt a ball after your opponent has conceded the shot.
Gimmes, on the other hand, are unofficial and are not covered by the Rules of Golf. A gimme is a putt that is so short that it is considered unmissable. Rather than making the putt, the player can simply pick up their ball and count the shot as holed. Gimmes are a gentleman's agreement between players and are used to speed up the game. While there are no official rules regarding gimmes, it is generally agreed that a putt within 2.5 feet is considered a gimme. However, some players may prefer to putt out all their shots, even if they are considered gimmes.
The main difference between conceded putts and gimmes is that conceded putts are an official part of match play, while gimmes are unofficial and are not covered by the Rules of Golf. Additionally, conceded putts are offered by one player to their opponent, while gimmes are usually requested by the player who is about to putt. In general, it is considered better etiquette to allow your opponent to grant you a gimme rather than requesting one.
While conceded putts and gimmes can speed up the game and promote good sportsmanship, they can also be strategic moves. For example, a player might concede a putt early in the game when the mood is light, and then refuse to concede later when the pressure is on. Similarly, a player might be more liberal with gimmes on the front nine and then more conservative on the back nine to increase the pressure on their opponent.
In conclusion, both conceded putts and gimmes are part of the etiquette of golf and can be used to speed up the game and promote good sportsmanship. However, it is important to remember that conceded putts are official in match play, while gimmes are unofficial and are not covered by the Rules of Golf. As such, it is generally better to allow your opponent to grant you a gimme rather than requesting one.
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The etiquette of gimmes
The concept of a "gimme" in golf is supposed to embody the sport's "'gentlemen's game' mantra. A gimme is a putt so short that players deem it unmissable, and they allow the player to pick up the ball and count the shot as holed. This speeds up the game and is considered a goodwill gesture.
While gimmes are not officially recognised in the rules of golf, they are a common practice in recreational rounds. It is important to note that gimmes are not typically granted in professional golf or when playing for money.
When it comes to the etiquette of gimmes, it is generally agreed that it is better to allow your opponent to offer a gimme rather than requesting one yourself. This is because gimmes are considered an act of goodwill and sportsmanship, and asking for one may be seen as impolite or shameless.
There is no standard distance that qualifies as a gimme, but it is typically considered to be within the length of a putter or about 2 to 2.5 feet. Some golfers prefer to be more conservative with gimmes, only granting them for very short distances or when the ball is almost in the hole.
It is advisable to establish mutual expectations before starting a round. Discuss whether you will award gimmes based on a set distance or decide on a case-by-case basis. This ensures everyone is on the same page and avoids potential misunderstandings or disputes during the game.
Lastly, remember that while gimmes can speed up the game and foster a friendly atmosphere, they should not be overused or expected. Golf is a game of honour, and it is important to respect your opponents and uphold the spirit of fair play. Don't take it personally if your opponent makes you putt—simply focus on enjoying the game and improving your skills.
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Gimmes in pro golf
A "gimme" in golf is a putt that is so short that players consider it unmissable, and the player who is about to putt is allowed to pick up the ball and count the shot as if it had been holed. The term "gimme" comes from the phrase ""give me", as in "will you give me that shot?".
Gimmes are not mentioned in the official rules of golf, and they are not allowed in competitive stroke play events. However, they are a common occurrence in match play events such as the Ryder Cup, and they are also frequently used in social and recreational golf to speed up play and make the game more enjoyable.
The distance at which a putt is considered a "gimme" varies and is generally decided by the players themselves. Some sources suggest that a gimme is typically within one foot or putter length, while others state that it can be up to two feet or even three feet for highly skilled players.
It is generally considered better etiquette for a player to wait for their opponent to offer a gimme rather than to request one themselves. However, gimmes can be a source of controversy, as they are based on an informal agreement between players and can be subject to interpretation and disagreement.
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Frequently asked questions
A "gimme" in golf is a putt that is 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", as in "will you give me that one?".
There is no official rule regarding gimmes, and it is up to the players to decide. Some sources suggest that a gimme is typically within 2.5 feet or the length of a putter, while others state that it is within 1 foot.
A "gimme" is typically awarded as an act of goodwill and sportsmanship. While there is no requirement to give a "gimme", doing so indicates that you are considerate and want to play in good spirits. It is generally better to allow your opponent to offer a "gimme" rather than requesting one yourself.
