What Is the Concession in Golf?

A concession in golf is the act of giving your opponent their next shot, a hole, or even the entire match, and it's something you will only find in match play formats. Understanding the what, when, and how of concessions is central to both the rules and the spirit of the game. This guide will walk you through exactly what a concession is, the different types, and the important etiquette that surrounds this unique aspect of golf.

What is Match Play? (And Why Concessions Only Happen Here)

First, it's important to know the difference between golf's two main formats: stroke play and match play.

• Stroke Play: This is what you see most often in professional tournaments and likely what you play with your friends. Your score is the total number of strokes you take over 18 holes. You compete against the entire field. Every single shot counts.
• Match Play: This is a head-to-head competition where you play against a single opponent. The goal isn't to get the lowest total score, but to win more individual holes than your opponent. A hole is won by the player who takes fewer strokes on it. The score is kept as "holes up" (e.g., "3 up") or "all square."

Concessions exist only in match play. Since you're only competing to win (or not lose) each individual hole, your opponent can give you a a shot, and essentially say, "I'll assume you would have holed that putt, so you can pick your ball up." In stroke play, this is impossible because every stroke must be counted for your final score. Trying to use a concession in a stroke play event would be a violation of the rules.

So, whenever you hear about concessions or "gimmies," remember we are strictly in the world of match play.

The Different Types of Concessions in Golf

Now that we know we're in a match play setting, it's time to understand the different ways you can make a concession. They all follow the same basic principle of voluntarily giving something to your opponent, but they apply on different scales.

1. Conceding the Next Stroke (The "Gimmie")

This is by far the most common type of concession you'll encounter. Conceding a stroke means you are gifting your opponent their next shot, most often a short putt. You're effectively saying, "I believe you would make that putt, so let's call it good and move on." The opponent picks up their ball, adds one stroke to their score for that hole as if they had holed out, and their play for the hole is complete.

Example: Alex and Ben are on the green. Alex has a 10-foot putt for par, which he misses, leaving himself a 2-foot putt for his bogey. Ben, who is already in for par and has won the hole, sees Alex's short putt. To speed up play and as a gesture of sportsmanship, Ben says, "That's good, pick it up." Alex acknowledges, picks up his ball, and marks down a 5 (bogey) on the scorecard for that hole.

The conceded stroke doesn’t have to be a putt, though it almost always is. In a rare scenario, if your opponent chipped their ball to inches from the hole, you could concede the tap-in from off the green.

2. Conceding the Hole

You can also concede an entire hole before it's finished. This happens when you feel you have no chance of winning or tying (halving) the hole and want to move on. Once you concede a hole, your opponent has won it, and you both proceed to the next tee.

When would you do this?

• Lost Ball or Out of Bounds: You hit your tee shot into the woods and can't find it. Your opponent is sitting safely in the middle of the fairway. Rather than going back to the tee to re-hit (lying three), you might just concede the hole to save time and energy.
• Accumulated Penalties: You've duffed a shot, hit another in the water, and now you’re lying 5 in a greenside bunker while your opponent has a 15-foot putt for birdie. Winning the hole is practically impossible, so conceding makes sense.
• Strategic Decision: Perhaps a ruling went against you or you broke a rule leading to a loss-of-hole penalty. You would formally concede the hole at that point.

A simple, "That hole is yours, let's go to the next tee," is all it takes.

3. Conceding the Match

Finally, a player can concede the entire match at any point before its conclusion. This ends the competition immediately. This is less common and usually happens if a player is many holes down with very few left to play (a situation called "dormie," where you are as many holes up as there are holes remaining). It can also happen due to injury, sudden illness, or another urgent matter that prevents a player from finishing.

Just like with a hole, you declare it clearly to your opponent: "The match is yours." You shake hands, and the result is final.

The Art of The Concession: Crucial Etiquette and Strategy

The rules around concessions are simple, but the etiquette - the unwritten code of conduct - is layered and significant. How you handle concessions says a lot about you as a golfer.

Act Decisively and Clearly

When you concede a putt, do it verbally and without hesitation. Phrases like "That's good," "Pick it up," or "Take it" are universal. Don't be vague. The second you utter those words, the concession cannot be taken back. Your opponent’s ball is considered holed.

NEVER Ask for a Putt

This is arguably the most important rule of concession etiquette. You should never, ever ask "Is that good?" or gesture towards your opponent in an attempt to solicit a concession. It puts them in an awkward position and is considered poor form. Always assume you have to putt everything out. Go through your pre-shot routine and prepare to hit the putt. If your opponent gives it to you, it's a bonus. If not, you're ready.

Be Thoughtful, Not a Pushover

Generally, you should concede short putts - say, inside 2 feet or so ("inside the leather") - to maintain a good pace of play and build goodwill. However, match play is a strategic game.

• Early in the Match: Be a little more generous. Conceding straightforward short putts keeps the game moving.
• Late in the Match: If a 3-foot putt would win the hole for your opponent on the 17th green, it's completely acceptable to make them putt it. The pressure is part of the game.
• The Strategic Concession: Some players will give their opponent a tricky 4-footer early in the round just to mess with their head. Why? Because the opponent doesn't get to see if they would have made it. Later, when faced with a similar putt under pressure, they might feel a seed of doubt because they haven't holed one like it all day.

Don't Let Gimmies Ruin Your Game

Getting used to having short putts conceded can be detrimental to your stroke play game. Those "knee-knocker" 2- and 3-footers are the ones that save your score. If you're constantly picking your ball up in match play, you'll never practice holing those putts under pressure. When you're playing stroke play or even just practicing, make a point to putt everything out, no matter how short. Build the confidence and the routine of seeing the ball drop into the cup.

Is a Concession Ever Final?

According to the Rules of Golf (Rule 3.2b), once a concession is made, it is final and cannot be withdrawn. If you say "that's good," the ball is considered holed, even if your opponent putts it anyway and misses. Similarly, if you concede a hole and then your opponent reveals they had one too many clubs in the bag (a loss-of-hole penalty), your concession still stands. The hole was already over the moment you conceded it.

There's also a quirky rule that a player is allowed to decline a concession. However, this is almost never done, as it goes against the spirit of the game. If an opponent gives you a putt, the proper etiquette is to say "thanks," pick up your ball, and move on.

Final Thoughts

The concession is a foundational element that helps define match play, blending on-the-spot sportsmanship with tactical mind games. Understanding what a concession is, how to give one, and the etiquette of when to expect (or not expect) one, will make you a more confident and respected competitor on the course.

Even with a grasp of the rules, match play is full of tricky choices beyond just when to concede a putt. Whether it's picking a target on a complex tee shot or deciding how to play a tricky lie in the rough, strategic decisions are everywhere. When you find yourself unsure of the smart play, our Caddie AI can act like an experienced coach in your pocket, giving you strategic advice to help you make better decisions and play with more confidence.