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How close for a Gimme?

HotDogAssassin

HotDogAssassin

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How close to you tend to accept when playing Gimme's? Within a putter handle's length, shaft length etc.

Are Gimme's only used in social play and never in competition?
 
HotDogAssassin said:
How close to you tend to accept when playing Gimme's? Within a putter handle's length, shaft length etc.

Are Gimme's only used in social play and never in competition?
Click to expand...

If you play me, you would be wise not to give me the width of the putter head ;)

Gimmes are allowed in Matchplay format, nothing else as far as I know, and social golf obviously.

In matchplay you set the tone early by declaring the first gimme, or you can decide beforehand on the first tee, important thing is that everyone is comfortable, I remember playing a guy in the matchplay comps of our club when I was a junior and he wouldn't give you a tap in, others are happy to call it 3 feet (usually if they're not the best putters ever themselves!).
 
Match play or social golf never in comps, the length depends on the score in the match the tighter the game the shorter they get. I hate the messing around that goes on around them in matches, last year i was playing in a 4somes inter club match and the guy's we were playing never gave us a putt some were less than 6 inches but made us mark them and then when we had replaced the ball it was thats ok, then on the 4th they let us mark a 9 inch putt and made us finish it.
Mike
 
Ah this is one of my pet hates - somebody demonstrates their ball is inside the length of a putter and expects a gimme. Gaaaah!

For me a gimme is a putt that I don't think you can miss - not one you'll hole 90% of the time. Length is not the determining factor - I'd give a longer putt if it's flat than I would if it was across a slope.

If you look like you care whether I give you it or not, I won't give it.

I might try the old trick of giving you most short putts early in the round but make you hole out a significant one later on.

All the above is in a competitive matchplay situation (note no gimmes in stroke play). In a social round it's different - will give putts that I wouldn't in competition generally to speed up play or to save someone standing in my line or even if they've already had two putts I might be quite friendly...

EDIT: Seeing some other comments I thought I'd add that I can't imagine not giving a putt that was inside a foot - that's just not going to be missed.

Oh yeah, if you miss a short one don't expect to be given one on the next hole.

And if it's for the match I'll probably make you hole out. :whistle:
 
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In social golf I would expect upto 2 footers for gimmies.

In matchplay competition it depends on the opponant, and how well they putt from range on the early holes. I will quite often give them a few and then suprise them by asking them to hole a very makeable putt. As they haven't had the practice it seems more difficult and they are sometimes missed.
 
FairwayDodger said:
Ah this is one of my pet hates - somebody demonstrates their ball is inside the length of a putter and expects a gimme. Gaaaah!

For me a gimme is a putt that I don't think you can miss - not one you'll hole 90% of the time. Length is not the determining factor - I'd give a longer putt if it's flat than I would if it was across a slope.

If you look like you care whether I give you it or not, I won't give it.

I might try the old trick of giving you most short putts early in the round but make you hole out a significant one later on.

All the above is in a competitive matchplay situation (note no gimmes in stroke play). In a social round it's different - will give putts that I wouldn't in competition generally to speed up play or to save someone standing in my line or even if they've already had two putts I might be quite friendly...

EDIT: Seeing some other comments I thought I'd add that I can't imagine not giving a putt that was inside a foot - that's just not going to be missed.

Oh yeah, if you miss a short one don't expect to be given one on the next hole.

And if it's for the match I'll probably make you hole out. :whistle:
Click to expand...



Cooo that saved me a lot of writing - what he said for me too
 
Usually within a putter grip is how we play in match play or friendly games. Sometimes longer will be given at different occasions during the match.
The tendency I have noticed is that if you don't give you don't get yourself. A few times I have not given maybe a 2.5 foot putt and wanted that gimme a few holes later to hear the words "remember that one you made me hole out"
 
FairwayDodger said:
Ah this is one of my pet hates - somebody demonstrates their ball is inside the length of a putter and expects a gimme. Gaaaah!

For me a gimme is a putt that I don't think you can miss - not one you'll hole 90% of the time. Length is not the determining factor - I'd give a longer putt if it's flat than I would if it was across a slope.

If you look like you care whether I give you it or not, I won't give it.

I might try the old trick of giving you most short putts early in the round but make you hole out a significant one later on.

All the above is in a competitive matchplay situation (note no gimmes in stroke play). In a social round it's different - will give putts that I wouldn't in competition generally to speed up play or to save someone standing in my line or even if they've already had two putts I might be quite friendly...

EDIT: Seeing some other comments I thought I'd add that I can't imagine not giving a putt that was inside a foot - that's just not going to be missed.

Oh yeah, if you miss a short one don't expect to be given one on the next hole.

And if it's for the match I'll probably make you hole out. :whistle:
Click to expand...

Ah FD you sound like a good seasoned & experienced match player ...
 
mikeb4 said:
Dont agree with gimmies you dont get them in medals and there are no easy putts - they should be banned !!
Click to expand...

But in match play they can be used to your advantage .. give a couple of uphill or 2 footers early doors.. then later just as he/she is expecting to be told thats ok , you just stay quiet , mind games or gamesmanship you play against experienced players this is another well honed tactic ..
 
Phil2511 said:
A few times I have not given maybe a 2.5 foot putt and wanted that gimme a few holes later to hear the words "remember that one you made me hole out"
Click to expand...

And that's fine by me too. My attitude is that if I don't think it's one I'll tap in 100% of the time it's not a gimme. If my opponent gives me one of those - bonus; if she doesn't give me one I think is a gimme - no problem I can just knock it in.
 
Sorry, one more point....

Before giving you a putt I consider your putting ability and form in the current round. So I might not give you one that I would give to a better putter!
 
I have often given a putt of a foot and they player acknowledges and goes and hits it anyway, sometimes hitting the ball towards them if they overhit the previous putt, if you know what I mean. What happens then, or can it just be classed then as a practice putt or collecting the ball?
 
Im happy to go with what anyone else does but if someone doesnt mention them then we dont play them...


We have all had a I want to snap my putter moment when you thought it was something you couldnt possibly miss!
 
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