Miles Bennett
In golf, the term concede or concession refers to an agreement between players during match play, where one player acknowledges that their opponent's next stroke is unnecessary to complete the hole. The concession is typically made verbally, with the conceding player saying something like, That's good or I concede the hole. This act of sportsmanship is meant to display courtesy and respect for one's opponent and can also be used strategically to maintain momentum or put pressure on the opponent. The term The Concession is also used to refer to an incident from the 1969 Ryder Cup, where Jack Nicklaus conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin on the 18th hole, resulting in a 16-16 draw with the US retaining the Cup. This act of sportsmanship inspired the name of The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, which was co-designed by Nicklaus and Jacklin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1969 |
| Event | Ryder Cup |
| Location | Royal Birkdale, England |
| Players | Jack Nicklaus, Tony Jacklin |
| Match status | Tied on the 18th hole |
| Concession type | Putt |
| Reason | Display of sportsmanship, avoided potential embarrassment |
| Outcome | 16-16 draw, U.S. retained the Cup |
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What You'll Learn
The Concession Golf Club
On the 18th hole of the final match, Jack Nicklaus, playing in his first Ryder Cup, holed his four-foot putt for par. With the match tied, Nicklaus conceded a tricky two-footer to Jacklin, allowing the Englishman to avoid the potential embarrassment of missing it in front of his home nation's fans. This act of sportsmanship resulted in a tie between the teams and a moral victory for the underdog Europeans. This move came to be known as "The Concession" in golf circles.
The club, which opened in 2006, is ranked as one of the best golf courses in the country. The course flows across a variety of landscapes, including meadows, wetlands, oak hammocks, and pine forests, with spectacular bunkering and exciting green contours. The design is a rare Nicklaus design that is not a residential development. The club has hosted several notable tournaments, including the 2015 NCAA Championship, won by Bryson DeChambeau, and the 2021 World Golf Championships-Workday Championship, won by Collin Morikawa.
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Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin
During the 1969 Ryder Cup, Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin were playing a singles match on the final day of the tournament. Nicklaus, representing the US, was facing Jacklin, representing Great Britain, on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.
Jacklin had a three-foot putt to win the hole, while Nicklaus faced a challenging seven-foot putt for par. If Nicklaus missed his putt and Jacklin made his, the Ryder Cup would go to the British team. Recognizing the pressure on his opponent and the potential embarrassment of missing the putt in front of his home crowd, Nicklaus picked up Jacklin's ball marker, conceding the putt and the hole. This act of sportsmanship resulted in the first tie in Ryder Cup history, with the final score being 16-16 or 14-14, depending on the source.
Nicklaus later recalled his thoughts at the time: "I didn't think of all this at the same time, but Tony had been the first hero that England had had in a long time. If he would've missed that putt, the British press would've barbecued him. [...] I don't believe you would have missed that, but I'd never give you the opportunity in these circumstances." This moment became known as "The Concession" and marked the beginning of a lasting friendship between the two golfers.
The Concession Golf Club in Florida, co-designed by Nicklaus and Jacklin, was named after this iconic moment in golf history.
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Match play
Conceding a putt, hole, or match is only legal in match play, not stroke play. Concessions are a unique aspect of match play that allows players to acknowledge their opponent's skill or situation and avoid unnecessary strokes. They are a display of sportsmanship, courtesy, and respect for your opponent.
In match play, each hole is a separate competition, and the player or team that wins the most holes wins the match. Concessions are most commonly used in this format, where players compete hole by hole.
A putt concession is when an opponent concedes your putt, indicating that your putt is good and you don't have to hole out. Putt concessions are very common in match play and happen all the time. When a putt is conceded, the golfer receiving the concession is considered to have holed out and play of that hole is over.
A hole concession is when a player gives up on an individual hole in match play, indicating that their opponent has won that hole, and both players move on to the next hole. Hole concessions are uncommon but do sometimes happen.
A match concession is when a player gives up on the entire match. Match concessions are very rare and considered bad form.
Concessions are typically made through a verbal agreement between the players involved. The player conceding the hole might say something like, "That's good", "You can have it", or "I concede the hole". Concessions must be clearly communicated and are final—they cannot be refused, declined, or withdrawn.
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Sportsmanship
In golf, the term "concede" or "concession" refers to an agreement between players during match play, where a player acknowledges that their opponent can take the hole without completing their next stroke. This act of sportsmanship is a display of courtesy and respect for the opponent. It is also a strategic move that can speed up the pace of play and maintain momentum.
The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, is named after an incident from the 1969 Ryder Cup, where Jack Nicklaus conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin on the 18th hole in the final match of the event. Nicklaus' gesture is considered one of the highest examples of sportsmanship in golf history. With the match tied on the 18th hole, Nicklaus had the chance to win the cup, but instead, he chose to concede the putt to Jacklin, resulting in a 16-16 draw, with the U.S. retaining the Cup.
This act of sportsmanship has left an indelible mark on Ryder Cup lore, and when Nicklaus and Jacklin collaborated to design the Florida course years later, they named it "The Concession" to honour that moment. The story of "The Concession" has become so famous that a golf club now bears its name, paying tribute to the spirit of friendly competition, sportsmanship, and respect that it represents.
While some may view conceding as a strategic decision or a courteous act, others may see it as a matter of honour and respect for the game and one's opponent. It is a unique aspect of match play in golf, allowing players to acknowledge their opponent's skill and avoid unnecessary strokes. In the words of one golfer, "Golf was a gentleman's game... I still think it is a gentleman's game."
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Verbal agreement
In golf, the term "concede" or "concession" refers to a verbal agreement between players during match play. This agreement involves one player acknowledging that their opponent's next stroke is unnecessary to complete the hole. The player essentially concedes the hole to their opponent, allowing them to move on to the next hole without taking the shot.
Concessions are typically made verbally, with phrases like "That's good," "You can have it," or "I concede the hole." This act carries significant weight in the golf community, showcasing sportsmanship, courtesy, and respect for the opponent. It is often seen as a display of friendly competition and respect for the game.
The Rules of Golf stipulate that a concession can be made at any time before a stroke is played, and once made, it is final. Conceding a putt, a hole, or a match is only considered legal in match play, not stroke play. Putt concessions are the most common, while hole concessions are uncommon, and match concessions are extremely rare.
The term "The Concession" in golf specifically refers to an iconic moment in the 1969 Ryder Cup. During the final singles match between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, Nicklaus conceded a short putt to Jacklin on the 18th hole. This act of sportsmanship resulted in a 16-16 tie between the United States and Great Britain, with the U.S. retaining the Cup based on their previous victory in 1967.
The incident gained notoriety, with some of Jack's teammates expressing fury over the decision. However, it also solidified "The Concession" as a symbol of sportsmanship and respect in golf. The event inspired the name of a golf course in Florida, "The Concession Golf Club," co-designed by Nicklaus and Jacklin, honouring their memorable match.
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Frequently asked questions
In golf, the term "concession" refers to an agreement made between players during match play, where one player acknowledges that their opponent's next stroke is unnecessary to complete the hole.
There are three types of concessions in golf: putt, hole, and match. Putt concessions are the most common, while hole concessions are uncommon and match concessions are the rarest.
The term "concession" in golf became famous after the 1969 Ryder Cup, where Jack Nicklaus conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin on the 18th hole in the final match of the event. This act of sportsmanship resulted in a 16-16 draw between the US and Great Britain.
Conceding a hole in golf is a way of saying "I give up, you win this hole, let's move on to the next hole". This is usually done when a player knows they have lost the hole, often after hitting a poor shot.
