Conceding a hole.

[backwoodsman]

In a recent match - friendly by the way - on a par three, I slashed my tee shot way left into horrible rough and my opponent hit a grand shot towards the blind green. In a despondent moment as we walked foward, I conceded the hole - as I could see no way we'd find my ball.

But as we got to the green - to everyone's amazement - his ball was nowhere to be found. He said that the concession couldn't count (and didn't want it to) as there was no ball with which to concede the next shot. I said it had to - as a concession can't be withdrawn or refused. So the question is, did the concession count even though he too had lost his ball.

(Was all academic to the match as the concession put him dormie and he won the next hole anyway)

 

[CrapHacker]

For me, the concession counts.

 

[jammydodger]

Already conceded so cant be withdrawn.....however you were playing in a friendly so basically you can do what the hell you want as long as you both agree

 

[Smiffy]

For me, the concession counts.

Seconded.
Same as if you concede a putt. The benefactor cannot decline the concession.

 

[madandra]

I think in the spirit of the game the concession stands. To go backtracking would erode centuries of gentlemanly sportsmanship.

 

[RGDave]

The concession counts and can't be withdrawn.
If however, you were playing with a mate and had a situation like this, that might be different.

 

[freddielong]

I agree with all the above the concession counts.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It counts but a friendly game may see you and your mate deciding to be more liberal with the rules

 

[Region3]

If this sounds preachy it isn't meant to be, but why concede a hole anyway?
Even if your mate is stone-cold certain to no worse than 2-putt, you might find your ball and get up and down.

The worst that happens is that you lose the hole anyway and get to hit one or two more golf shots, which is what we go out for in the first place.

 

[RGDave]

If this sounds preachy it isn't meant to be, but why concede a hole anyway?
Even if your mate is stone-cold certain to no worse than 2-putt, you might find your ball and get up and down.

The worst that happens is that you lose the hole anyway and get to hit one or two more golf shots, which is what we go out for in the first place.

I was thinking exactly this. I only concede a hole when there is no chance. No chance, in this case means walking up to the green and establishing that your opponent is there for x shots, is not going to take more than x more shots and you cannot match that.

Besides, there is a lot of fun to be had trying to chip/pitch in, often these shots are easier to picture when lagging up close or running it past 10-20 foot are not an option.

 

[DCB]

Rule 2-4 "A concession may not be declined or withdrawn."

So it has to stand.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I did get a bad reputation at one point as a junipr for not conceeding holes even when my opponent had something like 3 putts from 5 feet. I use to get so wrapped up in the game and what I was doing and thought it a sign of weakness. I was soon put straight and for a time went too far the other way and conceeded a few holes where I thought I had no chance, found my ball and made miracle recoveries or holed a flukey chip/putt that would have got a half etc. I think I've got the balance right now though even though HTL gave a couple of 2 footers I'd have preferred to see in recently

 

[backwoodsman]

If this sounds preachy it isn't meant to be, but why concede a hole anyway?
Even if your mate is stone-cold certain to no worse than 2-putt, you might find your ball and get up and down.

The worst that happens is that you lose the hole anyway and get to hit one or two more golf shots, which is what we go out for in the first place.

I was thinking exactly this. I only concede a hole when there is no chance. No chance, in this case means walking up to the green and establishing that your opponent is there for x shots, is not going to take more than x more shots and you cannot match that.

Besides, there is a lot of fun to be had trying to chip/pitch in, often these shots are easier to picture when lagging up close or running it past 10-20 foot are not an option.

Yep, I agree - but I guess at that stage I was playing like a dog & getting cheesed off. Call it lack of spirit, or lack of competitive edge, but I was damned near conceding the match. But as I say, I lost it on the next hole anyway

 

[viscount17]

Yep, I agree - but I guess at that stage I was playing like a dog & getting cheesed off. Call it lack of spirit, or lack of competitive edge, but I was damned near conceding the match. But as I say, I lost it on the next hole anyway

I can understand this but perhaps more as getting the bad one out of the way so you can start afresh.

 

[haplesshacker]

If Leslie Phillips had conceeded the hole as you had, do you think he would of let the concession stand? Of course not. He would have found some wonderful way in which to withdraw it! Bounders and cads eh!


You did the right thing, once offered, and all that, as others have said. I just felt like throwing the cat in a bit.