I hate Gimmies

[virtuocity]

Is it just me, but I actually enjoy watching the ball drop, even if it isn't always for a good score.

I agree. Nothing like tapping in a one footer following a good long putt- or even better, a pitch or chip. Feels more hollow if you're told, "pick it up".

99% of the people I meet when told, "that's fine from there" go ahead and putt the ball anyway!

 

[LanDog]

I don't expect any putt to be given, be prepared for every stroke, asking for a putt to be given is rude in my opinion.

As for when it comes down to match winning putts I think it's important to be prepared to putt out, it's more satisfying to win a match by holing your putt.

A good example of a putt not being given and causing controversy was seen at Medinah between Kuchar and Westwood, Westwood only had a tap in but Kuchar didn't concede, which I think is perfectly fine as I wouldn't bet on Westwood to make 1-2 footer!

But at the time I remember people saying it was disgraceful

 

[Billythefish]

had a situation not long back, in a four ball, all mates, playing doubles. One of our group putted out and in doing so won the hole for his pair. Fair enough. however his playing partner, picked his ball up (bout four feet) because they had won the hole, again fair enough.

Little later tho, he informed me that he parred that hole, because he had given himself the putt. Still trying to work it out...

 

[davidy233]

99% of the people I meet when told, "that's fine from there" go ahead and putt the ball anyway!

If it's a real match as opposed to a bounce game then that's just having a practice stroke (or strokes) - you can't turn down a concession

 

[sev112]

So if the average gimme putt is about a foot, wil anyone "gimme" a 200 yard drive to the middle of the fairway on every hole - no, I didn't think so


That's what gimmes are , I don't see the difference

 

[Papas1982]

So if the average gimme putt is about a foot, wil anyone "gimme" a 200 yard drive to the middle of the fairway on every hole - no, I didn't think so


That's what gimmes are , I don't see the difference

You seriously think that if you gave an average amateur 100 1ft putts and then 100 range balls. They'd miss as many putts as fairways?

 

[sev112]

You seriously think that if you gave an average amateur 100 1ft putts and then 100 range balls. They'd miss as many putts as fairways?

Ok, what distance drive will you give me to the middle of the fairway as an equivalent to the typical gimme putt , given that common gimme puttsbarebin fact great than 12", for the sake of discussion.
What about a30 yard pitch - what is the equivalent "gimme" for that etc?
If gimmies are about speeding up the game, then logically there must be equivalents in all other shots?

 

[Papas1982]

Ok, what distance drive will you give me to the middle of the fairway as an equivalent to the typical gimme putt , given that common gimme puttsbarebin fact great than 12", for the sake of discussion.
What about a30 yard pitch - what is the equivalent "gimme" for that etc?
If gimmies are about speeding up the game, then logically there must be equivalents in all other shots?

The distance if a drive or a pitch is IMO completely different. Forget what I'd give you, what aspect if your game to you think you are as consistent as you are with 1 foot putts?

I've not said that I'm pro gimmiea btw, I don't give them in our bounce matches as I don't think they save any substantial time.
I just don't think they're are any fair comparatives to a 1 ft putt!

 

[williamalex1]

I agree. Nothing like tapping in a one footer following a good long putt- or even better, a pitch or chip. Feels more hollow if you're told, "pick it up".

99% of the people I meet when told, "that's fine from there" go ahead and putt the ball anyway!

Naughty, when i concede a putt in a 4bbb match play i expect it to be lifted not putted out. The reason that putt might be of no consequence, " but" it might have assisted his PP seeing the break or line of his next putt, which might be on the same line and for a win.

But you cannot refuse a concession. I think ??????

 

[Foxholer]

The thing that gets me is people who say are you giving me that? I find it happens in interclub games most. I tend to be intimidated into saying yes, when really I want them to putt out.

The best answer there is 'If you are asking for it, then I shouldn't give it, so "No"!'.

It's your concession to give, not there's to take! Though by all means give easy 1-2 footers immediately.

 

[delc]

In friendly games we tend to give gimmes if they are less than about 3 feet. However this can be a bit of a two-edged sword. I recently played with one of my mates as a fellow competitor in a medal. At the 1st hole he knocked a long putt to within about a foot of the the hole, and then to my horror he picked the ball up assuming that it would be a gimme. I had to point out that he had to replace the ball with a one shot penalty and hole out, or else be DQ'd.

Gimmes are a part of matchplay. If your opponent drains a load of 3 footers on the practice green, you can concede a series of putts of about this length in the match, so he gets no further practice at them, and then ask him to hole a short putt at a crucial stage of the match. I was once 3 down with 3 to play in a match. At the 16th hole my opponent hit an uphill approach putt to within about a foot of the hole and assumed that I would concede it for a halved hole and the match. I saw that it was a slightly tricky downhill curly putt so asked him to hole out. He missed, and was so angry with either me or himself that he completely lost it, and I won the match at the 1st extra hole!

 

[williamalex1]

In friendly games we tend to give gimmes if they are less than about 3 feet. However this can be a bit of a two-edged sword. I recently played with one of my mates as a fellow competitor in a medal. At the 1st hole he knocked a long putt to within about a foot of the the hole, and then to my horror he picked the ball up assuming that it would be a gimme. I had to point out that he had to replace the ball with a one shot penalty and hole out, or else be DQ'd.

Gimmes are a part of matchplay. If your opponent drains a load of 3 footers on the practice green, you can concede a series of putts of about this length in the match, so he gets no further practice at them, and then ask him to hole a short putt at a crucial stage of the match. I was once 3 down with 3 to play in a match. At the 16th hole my opponent hit an uphill approach putt to within about a foot of the hole and assumed that I would concede it for a halved hole and the match. I saw that it was a slightly tricky downhill curly putt so asked him to hole out. He missed, and was so angry with either me or himself that he completely lost it, and I won the match at the 1st extra hole!

Whether to give or not to give "when" is the question .

 

[mikepops]

My regular playing partner knew I was iffy from 3ish feet, and so for the last year he's made me putt out everything when we play together. I've noticed a marked difference this year in my short putting under pressure.

 

[davidy233]

Ok, what distance drive will you give me to the middle of the fairway as an equivalent to the typical gimme putt , given that common gimme puttsbarebin fact great than 12", for the sake of discussion.
What about a30 yard pitch - what is the equivalent "gimme" for that etc?
If gimmies are about speeding up the game, then logically there must be equivalents in all other shots?

I've given an opponent a 30 yard pitch and still won the hole

 

[chrisd]

In yesterday's 4bbb match we got to the 18th needing to win it to go to the 1st extra hole after being 5 down with 6 to play. My opponents were in for 6 on the par 5, I was 10 foot away for 3. I lagged to 4 inches and they asked me to putt out as it was to go to the first extra hole - I wasn't at all miffed but did say, after sinking it, that I don't ever remember missing from 4 inches

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I recall giving loads of shots to a newish player in a KO.

On the first hole he putted to about 3 feet. His ball was nearly on my line and he asked if 'that was OK'.
I thought he meant for marking and said 'it's fine'. He picked his ball up and I felt a right numpty.

 

[need_my_wedge]

I have no problem with gimmes, whether it be in a knock, swindle or matchplay. In a knock, or on my own practice rounds I rarely, if ever give myself anything unless it's an inch or two, will putt out everything. In a knock with family or friends, usually give anything inside a putter length (hosel to base of grip). The swindle I play in uses the same rule.

In match play it becomes a bit more tactical. Will depend on my partners ability, whether I need shots/ holes back, whether he only needs one to my two, or some such. Will often see how they putt on the first couple of holes unless they're stone dead. If they're a reasonable putter, will then offer gimmes as I see fit, but don't be surprised if I don't give them at crucial points in the match. I see this as part of match play phsycology, it can be a useful option on occasion.

The game should be fun, so playing gimmes at certain times can stop a knock turning into a disaster. As for comps, It really doesn't bother me if I've been given gimmes for 10 holes and am then asked to putt a single footer for any reason, that's all part of the game.

 

[MadAdey]

I hate all this talk about gimmes and I am sort of with PJ on it, but I do give putts in knock games. Even when I am given putt I will still putt it out though, been asked before why and I tell people it is for the practice. If someone wants a putt to be given then obviously they do not fancy it, so should be made to putt it. IMO anyone who asks for putts to be given is a crap putter as they obviously do not want to be given the chance to miss it so wants it to be given.

having said that I love to use gimmies as a way to mess with someone's head. Nothing annoys someone more than making them mark it, then giving it to them after you have putted out. Then later in the game when it matters, making them mark it thinking that I am then going to give it. Then when you do not give it, it messes them up as they are expecting me to give it and have switched off.....

 

[FairwayDodger]

I give putts only if I can't see my opponent missing or, sometimes, I'll give shortish ones early on so they don't build confidence for those when it comes to the crunch. But it's always based on how good a putter I think my opponent is.

I played a match a couple of years ago, giving lots of shots to a decent player who was a terrible putter. On one hole she had a short putt, inside two feet to win the hole. I'd have conceded that putt to most players but not her, she missed. It only went about 8 inches past the hole but the first putt was so awful and nervous that I made her putt it for the half. She missed and I won the hole!

 

[patricks148]

if its bounce games i don't mind, but during the season i like to put everything myself.

But in a match and im giving away shots, i'll make you putt