Gimmie Gimmie or not

[evahakool]

Would it be better to do away with gimmies in comps?

While playing in our singles comp my opponant give me a putt of around 3 ft to half the hole.First of all i was surprised he give me the putt ( he was 3 up with 5 to play)and second I would have rather putted out and felt that I "earned" a half.Also it could be a disadvantage to the low h/c players if a high h/c give him a longish put early in the round he might feel he would have to give him a longish put,Many a higer h/c could miss a short putt.Could be called gamesmanship on the part of the high h/c.You maybe give a putt sometime in your round then if your opponants putting around that same lengh of a putt for the match you hear "ill see that one in" Seems a bit curlish to give on and not the other.So I think I would rather there were no gimmies.Be interested to hear any comments.

 

[Robobum]

Just reread your own post.

All the points you make in there are valid and are the exact reasons why it adds to the competition of matchplay.

Gamesmanship, tactics, psychology, call it what you will......it's all part of the fun!!

Oh and don't worry, I won't feel obliged to give you a putt just because you gave me one!!

 

[Timh27]

To be honest i didnt think you were allowed gimmies in comps but i may be wrong?

I dont see any harm in it in a friendly match with a couple of mates. especially if you are in a fourball as it speeds up play a bit. normally only if you know the player would hole it 9 times out of 10 but i wouldnt be happy with gimmies in comps as with abit of pressure on people can miss putts they normally would make without thinking about.

 

[Ethan]

Gimmies add another tactical element to matchplay, and can speed up play, so I would keep them. You can still putt out for practice if you want.

Gimmies not allowed in medals, obviously.

 

[Robobum]

To be honest i didnt think you were allowed gimmies in comps but i may be wrong?

Gimmes are allowed in matchplay competitions.

 

[USER1999]

Since they are only applicable in match play, it is part of the game. I am always happy to putt out at any given time in the match if required. I think sometimes that too long a putt is given, but each to their own. I am not influenced though. My opponent might give me a 4 footer, but if I think he can't putt, he isn't getting anything more than 6 inches.

The other day a friend of mine (in a comp) missed a 1" putt. Yep, he left it short.

 

[freddielong]

Same comments as Robobum really gimme's are all part of the tactics of matchplay

Timh27 the OP is about matchplay where gimmies are allowed but there are no gimmies in any other comps

 

[Faldo_Fan]

I have different gimmes for different players i'm up against in matchplay, one of my regular opponents never misses inside 4 feet so it's nearly always conceded, but i also play against a 8 hcp that regularly misses from 12 inches, you can see the colour drain out of him when he leaves himself anything from 6 inches to 4 feet!!!!!.....and i ALWAYS want to see those in.....is that cruel???

 

[Timh27]

Same comments as Robobum really gimme's are all part of the tactics of matchplay

Timh27 the OP is about matchplay where gimmies are allowed but there are no gimmies in any other comps

Ok learn something new everyday

 

[evahakool]

Agree gimmies should be kept in friendly matches anything to speed up play is always good.Was playing in a doubles matchplay and my partner wouldnt give any gimmies no matter what the lengh, wasnt right as our opponants were giving us gimmies.Not played with him agian.Dont think any kind of gamesmanship is good for the game.looks like I might be in a minority on this one.Interesting though.

 

[freddielong]

Its not really about gamesmanship its about applying pressure, questioning why you gave them the last one and not this one, making them think a putt is harder than it is or that it is really important.

Its all about making your opponent think and you know what happens in golf if you think to much

 

[evahakool]

Good point Faldo Fan (sorry not sussed out the Quotes yet)Can see the logic in that and no I dont think youre cruel if you know your opponants a bad putter.

 

[matt01]

i think faldo fan is right about his gimmie`s

but one thing i do in match play is give not a thing at the start to see what there putting is like,but never give to let them win the hole does not matter how long it is

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its part ofthe game and something you need to learn to deal with. In the past I was guilty of assuming I'd be given those little ones from a foot or closer until a wily campaigner gave me the first and then made me putt the rest. I was a bit irked and of course missed one and evenutally lost 2&1

I think its a great par of the game and liek others have said you can have some fun with your opponent by preying on their weaknesses

 

[centuryg5]

I was in a matchplay game,and "gave" one inside 3ft for a half, he took no notice of me,putted and Missed so i duly anounced "1 up" and walked to the next tee,he wasn't happy, i said if i concede, pick the thing up and accept.end of.

 

[DCB]

CenturyG5

Once you conceed a putt that's it. Your opponent can not decline a concession.

In the scenario stated, it's you who was in the wrong.

 

[Golfmmad]

I was in a matchplay game,and "gave" one inside 3ft for a half, he took no notice of me,putted and Missed so i duly anounced "1 up" and walked to the next tee,he wasn't happy, i said if i concede, pick the thing up and accept.end of.

Not trying to be clever here Centuryg5, but your opponent had every right to be put out. In matchplay:

Rule2-4 says that after a concession is made the player given the concession "Is considered to have holed out".
Once given is absolute.

This was posted on our members web-site recently.

Golfmmad.

 

[Golfmmad]

Sorry, DCB beat me to it.

Golfmmad.

 

[RGDave]

I can take or leave gimmies. I tend to know if my opponent can putt (or not), so I only ask to see short ones in at the end of the game or if I'm well down and need a miracle.

I certainly approve of their use in matchplay competitions - it's part of the game.

As for "mind-games" or "tactics" regarding them, it makes no difference to me. I often play folk who give me plenty early on and then expect me to miss as the pressure builds....not the best of ideas since pressure will almost certainly affect them more than me, but that's a whole different story........

 

[Imurg]

In a club match once, I was about to give my opponent a putt but before I could he stepped up to play it - so I let him go. He missed and then looked at me as if to say "You did give me that didn't you?"
No such luck and he crumbled after that.