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"Gimmies"

• Rosella00 13 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 3:52 AM

  I was wondering if there are any unwritten (or, if they're not unwritten, maybe they're just hard to find, at least for me) protocols as to when you should take a "gimme" putt, or if you are free to take one every time one is offered.

  I had initially assumed the latter to be the case, and I had noticed that at least half of the other players were taking them, so I fell into the habit of taking them myself.  That was until I was playing a hole with someone and, when I took one, he seemed to get quite annoyed with me.  I undoubtedly overreacted, as I am wont to do, was upset by what he said, and just stopped playing there and then.  It has left me wondering Whether I should take a "gimme" putt at all or only if the putt is so short that no-one could miss.

  Incidentally, I have been trying all but the very shortest of putts since that happened, and I think my putting has improved slightly as a result.

• PureGro1 1,656 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 7:25 AM

  In Alt-Shot where a gimmie is up to the opponent, 2ft is usually standard- going up to 4ft for some putts and depending on player.

  As far as gimmie in stroke games, if it is offered IMO- its up to you to take it or not.

  A lot of people are going to tell you how to and not to play the game, take advice where and when warranted but have fun doing what you do and forget about what other players expect.

• Robert1893 7,718 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 8:41 AM

  Rosella00:

  I was wondering if there are any unwritten (or, if they're not unwritten, maybe they're just hard to find, at least for me) protocols as to when you should take a "gimme" putt, or if you are free to take one every time one is offered.

  If you're playing another player, just negotiate that at the beginning of the round. Because you're amateur tier, it's my understanding the system will automatically offer you a gimmie for putts 4 feet or shorter.

  The problem is some 4-foot putts can be fairly difficult. If the two players hadn't decided up front when gimmies can be taken, I can see why the other player might have gotten a bit annoyed. He or she had no say because the gimmie was offered by the system and not the player. (At least, that's what I'm guessing happened.)

• Duphpherer 467 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 10:05 AM

  When I started wgt, I too was not used to getting "gimmies" from many years of console golf games. I would putt out if the putt seemed something longer than a gimmie. 

  When you get further into the game gimmies are gone from higher h2h coin games. 

  I would advise you to take any gimmies when offered. If you putt your gimmie and miss, and your opponent takes his gimmie, you'll feel somewhat cheated. Unless you have a pre-arranged agreement, nobody should fault you for taking them. If someone gives you grief, simply mute chat. 

• craigswan 31,677 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 10:58 AM

  Golf Digest Suggestions .

  DO: Give anyone a putt who is out of the hole if it's for more than par .

  DON'T: Give any birdie putt .

  DON'T: Endlessly fumble change in your pocket praying your opponent will cave and give it to you .

  DO: Be liberal with gimmes on the front, conservative on the back .

  DON'T: Apologize for making your opponent putt .

  DON'T: Take it personal when an opponent makes you putt .

  DO: Putt when the shot is to win the match .

  DON'T: Agree to "good-good" on matching four-footers when down 2 holes or more .

  DO: Be stingy with shaky putters .

  DO: Concede the short putt that sends the match into OT .

  DON'T: Have a win-at-all-costs mentality .

  DON'T: Be overzealous with your boss .

  DO: Be generous with your father-in-law .

  If you want to go all Suzann Pettersen over $5, that's your prerogative. Just know you might be playing alone your next time out. .

  
  

• craigswan 31,677 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 11:06 AM

  When a putt is a gimme .

  If it's inside the length of the putter:

   This is the same measurement as inside the leather, but the player gets the full length of the putter as the radius..

  When a putt isn't a gimme .

  If it's to win the hole: .

  If it's for birdie or better .

  Never .

• craigswan 31,677 Posts

  Fri, Feb 25 2022 11:08 AM

  

• Rosella00 13 Posts

  Sat, Feb 26 2022 6:31 AM

  I think the allowance is overly generous.  Maybe it should be reduced to 12 inches.

• 362 Posts

  Sat, Feb 26 2022 3:58 PM

  If you agree to the gimmes abide by it. No matter what. Otherwise tell the players at beginning NO GIMMES AT ALL 111