Key Takeaways: Gimmie
- A gimmie, or "gimme putt," is a putt so short that you feel it is unmissable, so you ask another golfer to "give me" that putt — to allow you ...
- Gimmies are illegal under the Rules of Golf. ...
- Gimmies and conceded putts, which are covered under the Rules of Golf, are not the same thing.
Full Answer
What is a gimme in golf?
A gimme in golf is a conceded shot that players deem “unmissable”. Instead of forcing a player to putt from a short distance, the game can move along at a quicker pace. Gimmes should only ever be utilized in match play events and are not permitted in stroke play competitions.
What is a Gimmie putt?
A "gimmie" (or "gimme putt") is a putt so short a golfer considers it unmissable, so just picks it up and counts it as holed.
Should you putt out a gimme in golf?
A good rule of thumb is that if your ball is lying within gimme range, but your fellow players don’t say anything, you should go ahead and putt it out. You should never assume that a putt is a gimme, even if it’s literally hanging over the lip of the cup!
When do you give a Gimme?
"A gimme should be taken when there are two groups waiting on the tee box and you're still putting." -- Mike Pilatos "In my golf league most players give a gimme if it is within two feet of the cup to help the pace of play." -- Greg Hermance "You don't have to be a genius to understand that gimmes speed up the game. Many things do.
Is gimme legal in golf?
Gimmies are illegal under the Rules of Golf. Therefore, they exist only informally, most commonly seen in recreational rounds of golf or other rounds among friends.
How far is a gimme in golf?
When a putt is a gimme. If it's inside the leather of the putter: Lots of groups call a gimme when a putt stops closer to the hole than the distance from the near lip of the cup to the bottom of the putter grip. It's a little more than 2 feet.
Should you ask for a gimme in golf?
There is no requirement for someone to give a gimme. Indeed, other than in match play, it is incorrect to do so. Technically gimmes should not be given in strokeplay. But they can be given in strokeplay if all players agree.
Do you add a stroke on a gimme?
Golf's Rule 2-4 seems simple enough: "A player may concede his opponent's next stroke at any time." It means one player can tell another to simply pick up his ball, add a stroke to his score and proceed to the next hole.
How do you concede a putt?
A 'conceded putt' happens, in match play only (they are not allowed in stroke play), when one golfer tells her opponent to count their next stroke as holed. When the concession is made, the ball is considered holed and the golfer whose putt was conceded is finished playing that hole.
What does inside the leather mean in golf?
When you hear the phrase "inside the leather" in golf, it means that your opponents or playing partners will give you the next putt (so you don't have to putt it) if your preceding putt finishes close enough to the hole that it's within a circle from the lip of the cup whose radius is the distance from the sole of the ...
Why do Gimmies exist in golf?
Gimme in golf exists to speed up the game. Instead of waiting and lining up an unmissable putt, a gimme allows you to pick up the ball and move onto the next tee. This speeds up the game for everyone on the golf course.
When should I take a gimme golf?
When a player has only a very short putt left to play, other players may grant a gimme (i.e., one stroke is counted), but the ball is not played. A gimme is a time-saving convention under the tacit assumption that the putt would not have been missed, e.g., when the ball is only a few inches from the hole.
What length of putt is a gimme?
2.5 feetA putt inside 2.5 feet is a fairly agreeable gimme length and you can use that system the entire round. If a ball is past the end of the putter, you have to hit it, no questions asked.
What is a breakfast ball in golf?
In golf, the term "breakfast ball" is an euphemism for a mulligan. Basically, a "breakfast ball" is a mulligan for a tee time that is in the morning.
What does it mean to play the ball down in golf?
Playing it “Up” or “Down” – Playing the ball down means that you have to hit your shot no matter what the lie is. In certain situations golfers are allowed to play the ball “up” meaning they can improve the lie.
How long is inside the leather?
That is "inside the leather." If your ball is closer to the hole than the distance from the bottom of your putter to the bottom of your putter's grip, then it is inside the leather. So, with a conventional putter, inside the leather roughly means about two feet.
What is the difference between gimmies and conceded putts?
The main difference between gimmies and conceded putts is this: Conceded putts are covered in the Rules of Golf and exist as a sanctioned part of match play; gimmies are not, and do not. Conceded putts are ones that , in a match play setting, your opponent tells you to count as made, and pick up your golf ball.
What is a conceded putt?
Conceded putts are ones that, in a match play setting, your opponent tells you to count as made, and pick up your golf ball. A golfer cannot ask his opponent to concede a putt, a concession can only be granted. And concessions are made only in match play, not stroke play . You can think of gimme putts as the unofficial, ...
Can you use a gimmie putt on a golf putt?
It's easy to abuse the gimme putt, though. Most golfers who play with gimmies don't actually measure " inside the leather," they just eyeball the putt length. And it's easy for the length of gimmies to keep creeping upward, ...
Can you putt with a gimmie?
Many recreational golfers play using gimmies for any short putt. The unofficial standard governing what length of putt is OK to treat as a gimmie is " inside the leather " — that is, if a golf ball is closer to the hole than the distance from your putter head to the bottom of the putter grip when laid flat on the green, ...
Can you use a gimmie in a golf tournament?
Gimmies cannot be used in any round of golf played under The Rules of Golf, at least not by golfers who want to claim they are abiding by the rules. A golfer who does claim a gimmie in a round of golf played under the rules — a tournament round, a handicap round, any round in which golfers are supposed to be abiding by the rulebook — is actually ...
Is it illegal to have a gimmie in golf?
Gimmies are illegal under the Rules of Golf. Therefore, they exist only informally, most commonly seen in recreational rounds of golf or other rounds among friends. Gimmies and conceded putts, which are covered under the Rules of Golf, are not the same thing. "Gimmie," which is also frequently spelled "gimme," derives from "give me," as in, ...
Is a gimme putt a stroke play?
And concessions are made only in match play, not stroke play . You can think of gimme putts as the unofficial, unsanctioned (by the Rules) stroke-play counterpart to match play's conceded putts.
What is a Gimme In Golf
A gimme is a slang word in golf used to say that a golfer can count his next putt as if it went in due to how close it is in the hole.
How long is a gimme?
A gimme is a putt that is two feet or shorter. But the length of a gimme tends to change based on the group you are playing with.
Are Gimmes Used In Golf Tournaments
No, gimmies are not used in golf tournaments. As golfers are expected to physically take all of their shots throughout the entire tournament.
Does A Gimme Count As A Stroke?
Yes, a gimme should always count as a stroke. It is important to remember that when a golfer takes a gimme they are saying they next putt is so short that the putt automatically counted.
Conclusion Understanding Gimmes
We hope you enjoyed our guide to understanding gimmes in golf. If you have any questions regarding this article. Or any of the information we’ve included on it please be sure to reach out in the comments below.
Is a gimme good for golf?
Gimmes are good for the game and they speed up play. Facebook fan quotes: "These answers are why some rounds on a public course take 5 hours. It's not the U.S. Open so keep the pace of play moving along.". -- Mark Reagan. "To quote some famous golfer...
Can you record a score on a gimme range?
Never. If you take/give putts from gimme range, don't record a score because you will have had holes you never finished out. Again, in stroke play, the rule is you must put everything. We're refreshed to see that so many of you are so diligent about that too.
Is putter length a gimme?
If it's "inside the leather" with a conventional length putter, then it's a gimme. If you have someone not familiar with your home course involved in a game then you should be a little more lenient and make putter length putts gimmes. Anything to speed the game up some.
