What Is a Gimmie in Golf?

That short putt your buddy just scooped up and declared good is one of the most common traditions in golf, yet it's not actually part of the official rules. This informal act, known as a gimme, is a massive part of the game's social culture. This guide will walk you through exactly what a gimme is, the unwritten rules of giving and receiving them, and how they fit into different types of golf, from a casual afternoon round to a competitive tournament.

So, What Exactly Is a Gimmie?

A gimme is simply a putt that another player concedes to you, meaning you don't actually have to hit the ball into the hole. They are "giving" you the stroke, so it's considered made. If your ball is six inches from the cup and your friend says, "That's good, pick it up," you've just received a gimme. You add one stroke to your score for that putt and move on to the next tee.

The primary purpose of the gimme is to maintain a good pace of play. Lining up, settling in, and stroking a one-foot putt takes time. Multiplying that by four players over 18 holes can add 20-30 minutes to a round. In a friendly game, making everyone tap in these tiny putts can feel tedious. It's a simple, informal agreement between players to keep the game moving and avoid unnecessary pressure on what should be an easy shot.

However, it's essential to understand that this is purely a social convention for casual rounds. For individual stroke play, the Official Rules of Golf are clear: you must hole out on every hole. The only time concessions are officially recognized is in match play, where you are playing directly against an opponent hole by hole, not trying to post the lowest total score.

The Unwritten Rules of the Gimmie

Since gimmies aren't official, they operate on a fluid, honor-based system of etiquette. Misunderstanding these unwritten rules can lead to awkward moments or even tension within a group. To navigate this part of the game smoothly, just keep these guidelines in mind.

It Must Be Given, Not Taken

This is the most important rule of all. You can never, ever assume a putt is a gimme. Reaching down and picking up your ball without it being explicitly conceded by another player in your group is a major breach of etiquette. Someone must say the words: "That's good," "Pick it up," or something similar. If you're unsure, just prepare to putt. If a playing partner thinks it's a gimme, they'll stop you. Taking a putt for yourself is like helping yourself to someone else's fries - you need to be offered first.

The "Inside the Leather" Guideline

The most common rule of thumb for gimme distance is "inside the leather." This refers to the length of a standard putter grip, from the bottom of the grip (the "leather") to the clubhead. If your ball is closer to the hole than that distance, it's generally considered a gimme. It's a quick, easy-to-use measurement that most golfers recognize.

But treat this as a guideline, not a hard rule. A two-foot putt that's dead straight is very different from a two-foot putt with a sharp right-to-left break on a lightning-fast green. The situation matters just as much as the distance.

Consider the Putt's Importance

Not all short putts are created equal. The context of the putt has a huge influence on whether a gimme is appropriate.

• For Par or Bogey: A two-footer to make a 5 is far more likely to be conceded than a two-footer to make a 3. Putts for par and bogey are routine, and in a friendly round, most players don't need to see you tap in for a five.
• For Birdie or Eagle: These are celebratory moments! Players generally want to see you "earn" that birdie by holing the putt. It feels better to knock in a birdie putt than to have it given to you anyway. You’ll rarely, if ever, see a birdie putt conceded unless it’s practically touching the hole.
• When a Bet is on the Line: If you're playing a $5 Nassau, the rules get a little stricter. An old golf axiom says, "Never give a putt that means something." When money is involved, even a small amount, players usually prefer to have everything holed out to keep things fair and square.

Be Consistent and Fair

If you give your friend a two-foot gimme on the 3rd hole, you should be prepared to offer the same courtesy to every other player in the group for a similar putt later in the round. Being selective with who gets gimmies or changing your standard mid-round can make you look biased and create a bad atmosphere. The goal of a gimme is to be friendly and efficient, so apply the "gimme standard" for the day evenly to everyone.

When to Give a Gimmie (and When to Make 'Em Putt)

Deciding when to offer a gimme is part social grace and part situational awareness. As the on-course coach for your group, here’s a simple framework to follow.

Good Times for a Gimmie

• The Casual Weekend Round: This is prime gimme territory. The focus is on fun, friendship, and pace of play, not setting a course record. Be generous.
• When the Group is Slow: If the foursome ahead is pulling away, giving a few extra gimmies is a great way to speed things up without rushing anyone's pre-shot routine.
• The Routine Tap-In: The ball is a foot away. The player has a 5 for a 6. It's a flat putt. Just say, "That's good." No need to make them go through the motions.
• Scrambles and Team Formats: In many team games, like a four-person scramble, once the team's score for the hole is secured, any remaining tap-ins are pointless. Pick 'em up and head to the next tee.

Times to Be Cautious (or Make Them Putt It Out)

• Anytime You Post a Score for a Handicap: This is a hard-and-fast rule. A score is only valid for handicap purposes if you hole out on every single hole. No exceptions.
• Club Tournament or Competition: In any formal stroke play event, gimmies do not exist. It's against the rules, and taking one could lead to disqualification. Each player is playing the course, and every stroke must be counted.
• A Tricky Downhill Slider: Your friend has a two-footer, but it's on a greased-lightning slope. This putt is no guarantee. It’s fair to expect them to hit it, as it tests their nerve and touch. Missing a short putt like this is part of the game.

Gimmies, Handicaps, and The Rules of Golf

The distinction between a casual round with friends and a round played by the book is critical. Understanding this difference will make you a more knowledgeable and respected golfer.

How Gimmies Affect Your Handicap

As mentioned, taking gimmies disqualifies a score from being posted for an official handicap. The USGA Rules of Handicapping are built on the principle of accurate score reporting, and that requires every putt to be holed.

So what happens if you're playing a casual round, pick up a few gimmies, but still want an idea of what you shot? If you pick up on a hole before finishing, you should record your "most likely score." To do this, you add the strokes you've already taken on the hole, plus the number of strokes you would most likely take to finish from that spot. For a short gimme, that's almost always one more stroke. If you’re two feet away lying 4, your most likely score is a 5.

Stroke Play vs. Match Play: The Official Distinction

The concept of a gimme has an official cousin in the format of match play. It’s important not to mix these two up.

• Stroke Play: You are competing against everyone else in the field. Your goal is the lowest score possible over 18 holes. There are no gimmies because every single stroke counts toward your total.
• Match Play: You are competing against one other player to win individual holes. In this format, Rule 3.2 allows a player to concede a stroke at any time. When your opponent concedes your next putt, it’s functionally identical to a gimme - you pick up your ball and add one stroke. Concessions are a huge part of match play strategy. You might concede a short putt to your opponent early to a) save time, or b) build goodwill, hoping they might concede one back later. Alternatively, you might make them putt an "easy" a two-footer on the first hole just to see if their nerves are steady.

Final Thoughts

Gimmies are a social cornerstone of casual golf, designed to foster a friendly atmosphere and keep the game moving. Knowing the unwritten etiquette - giving, not taking, being fair, and understanding the situation - allows you to use them correctly without causing any friction in your group. Remember that they are strictly for informal play and have no place in rounds being posted for a handicap or in stroke play competitions.

Mastering golf requires more than just a good swing, it's also about managing your game and knowing the rules. When you're in a situation on the course and unsure about an official ruling or the right strategy for a shot, it's easy to feel stuck. To help solve that, I’m creating Caddie AI to act as your on-demand golf expert. It provides clear, simple answers and shot strategies right when you need them, taking away the guesswork so you can step up to every shot with clarity and confidence.