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The Gimmie

Rolf Harris

By Rolf Harris,
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Rolf Harris Member

Rolf Harris

I'm not sure if this has been covered before but here goes anyway.

A colleague of mine who plays off 12 has decided that he will not concede a putt unless it's literally hanging over the hole. The result is a fairly painstaking round where every member of the fourball is required to mark their balls and line up >2 foot putts.

His rationale is fair enough but my opinion is that he's completely missing the point of matchplay golf between fellow gentlemen.

An exert from a recent e-arguement is below for your reference. I'd be very interested to hear your views on the topic.

HIM: At the risk of re-opening the whole gimme debate (which is exactly what I am now doing) it really struck me this weekend - where some of the greens were treacherous (by our usual standards) - that a gimme is supposed to be where there is minute-to-zero chance that the other player would miss - hence my yardstick of "if you would be happy to knock that in one handed then its a gimme". Unless being used purely as a gamesmanship tactic, a gimme is not supposed to be a gift to someone who actually still has a bit to do (even if it is probable that he will sink it). The problem is (your problem is) we get used to seeing the pros give gimmes of several feet, but they are pros - amateurs playing on tricky greens with double-figure h'caps can't guarantee sinking a 2 footer across a slope where a miss might take the ball 6 feet past. That's a large part of the skill - and enjoyment - of golf, so play the shot. If we are simply saving time by precluding the need to tap in (literally), no problem - even I give gimmes for that - but for goodness sake, if some skill is still required, get on with the game and finish the hole.

ME: You are still completely missing the point of gimmies.

It's simply a gentlemanly way of saying to your opponent 'I don't reckon you'll miss that (if you took your time and lined it up as you would a normal putt) but seeing as it's so small and I want to get on with my putt (or the next hole) then I'm going to respect your skills as a golfer and offer an friendly olive branch by giving you that putt in the spirit of the game'

You are right there are no guarantees the opponent would get it but I'd rather concede a putt than have an opponent casually feel the need to hole it without lining it up and miss it. That, to me would feel like a hollow win. In the same vein I'd rather concede a put than wait around for him to line it up and then hole it because that to me is just cold hearted, mean pedantic golf that I don't particularly enjoy. Also in the same vein I would expect my opponent to treat me with the same level of respect.

It's the spirit of the game that is social competitive golf (not competition medal play) - THIS IS THE POINT THAT YOU ARE REFUSING TO ACCEPT

There are of course certain situations when gamesmanship comes into play as previously discussed and also if a 1- 2 footer was to win the hole rather than half or lose it then I'd be less inclined to concede it.I]

HIM: I can certainly see the rationale. However, sport is sport and in no other sport I play would it be contemplated that someone would be afforded a result that they had not in fact achieved, as a form of "never mind, have it anyway". As I have said before, I would be ANNOYED if my opponent kept giving me gimmes and preventing me from finishing the hole (literal tap-ins aside). That is all part of the enjoyment, and possibly one of the more satisfying aspects of playing - I don't want an assessment and approval from someone that I am this good or that bad and them deciding what I might or might not achieve: let me achieve it (or not) (and vice versa).

It is the indignation and the "well, I never..." of a gimme not being given that so amuses and annoys me. If it's given, great: if it isn't, nothing is being implied or any offence being given. Get on with it.

Trying to emulate Jacklin and Nicklaus' example is frankly ridiculous. The gesture was precisely because the consequences of missing were so huge (millions watching, historic event etc) and possibly life-altering - and therefore a very magnanimous gesture indeed and to be commended in that context. When we play, a missed putt hopefully won't have that effect, so if its not given go ahead and putt and suck it up if you miss.

In my Bag,

Putter: a two ball copy
SW: Titleist vokey
GW: Cleveland 52dg Irons: Ping eye 3, pw - 3 & a non descript 1 iron.Woods: King Cobra 5wDriver: Titleist 360 TIn my Hip flask: Scotch

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O.B. Right Well Established Member

O.B. Right

Sounds like a really fun guy. He does know this is a game, right?

We usually just agree to gimmies being within a putter grip, or sometimes a putter length, to the hole. That way there's no argument. Not that we would actually argue about it.
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NormH3 Dedicated Member

NormH3

He obviously takes his sport play very seriously. I don't know why he compares golf with "other sports he plays". Obviously the rules of golf allow for "gimmies" otherwise you wouldn't see it happen when the pros match play. Maybe you need to remind him of that.

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iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

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Getting worked up over gimmies strikes me as silly. If they're so short, tap 'em in - why line them up if they're "gimmes?"

Or, since it's match play, if you're out of the hole just pick up.

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MizunoPlayer Member

MizunoPlayer

I can see the rationale behind both of your arguments. Though this just may only be a Saturday game for fun or a tournament, I think it comes down to what is riding on the putt. If it's the front nine of a 2 day match play tournament, I'll be happy to give you that 2 or 3 footer because I know the other guy would do the same for me. But if the scenario is different and it's the last 4 or 5 holes on the last day and I'm in the lead...that 2 or 3 footer is going to look longer and the hole smaller; you better believe you're going to have to putt it out. The scenario makes up a lot of it. I mean c'mon, it's Saturday morning and the guy isn't going to give you something inside the grip? That's just bogus and I wouldn't play with him because it's people like him that ruin the fun of the game.

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DavidFehertysBike Great Member

DavidFehertysBike

is ESSENTIAL
THE WEAPONS CACHE..

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sean_miller Incredible Member

sean_miller

Just hit the ball. If someone tap my ball to me, I guess it was a gimme. If I have to finish off a short putt, then quickly stab the ball past the hole, my opponent had it it right. It wasn't really a gimme, was it!?!?

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

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Chief Broom Great Member

Chief Broom

If you've got to line it up and stand over it in order to read the line, then that doesn't fit my definition of a gimmie.

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pittpanther Dedicated Member

pittpanther

I'm not sure if this has been covered before but here goes anyway.

First comment: You both must be lawyers, eh? Judging by the way you write...

Second comment: Someone else said it for me - "If you have to stand over it and read the line in order to make it, it's not a gimme." Play it from tee to cup...

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MiniMoe Dedicated Member

MiniMoe

In match play, any shot may be conceded at any time, so how short or long the putt is doesn't really matter. Maybe he makes you putt it because he knows he is getting under your skin and it might affect shots down the road. Best thing to do is just be prepared to putt everything out and don't worry about it. Give him a few longer ones, then when the time is right, on a really short putt, reach down like you are going to give it to him, then just walk away.

My swing thoughts:

- Negative thinking hurts more than negative swinging.
- I let my swing balance me.
- Full extension back and through to the target. - I swing under not around my body. - My club must not twist in my swing. - Keep a soft left knee

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Where's the Cart Girl? Well Established Member

Where's the Cart Girl?

The result is a fairly painstaking round where every member of the fourball is required to mark their balls and line up >2 foot putts.

This is BS and should be addressed as such, even by gentlemen.

Just play the game, for the love God man. It isn't like if he gave you a 2 footer you wouldn't give it back. I'd find a new 4th.

The bag:

Driver: Taylormade R7 Limited (10.5*)
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5-wood: Titleist 909 F2(18.5*)Irons: Taylormade RAC TP MB; Project-X 6.0 (3-PW)Wedges: Vokey Spin-Milled 52.08 Vokey Spin-Milled 58.12Putter: Odyssey White Hot Tour #1 (33")Ball: Titleist ProV1

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Wayne Hudler Newbie

Wayne Hudler

Why is it some people can't help but "strain at a gnat?" If this is a friendly game with no more than a small wage at stake then the standard inside the leather gimme makes perfect sense.

Over the course of 18 holes your opponents may have missed a gimme if he had to putt it, but then so would you. Sum zero.

Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of more than 30 years and golf writer.

He partners with Dooley Duffer over at Dooley Duffer Golf. They have created a place where ordinary golfers (we affectionately call them duffers) can get the help they need to improve their games like we did. Become the player...

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Rolf Harris Member

Rolf Harris

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The bit that winds me up the most is the belittlement of that great moment with Jacklin & Nicklaus. He reckons (as many do) that Nicklaus should have made him putt it, but for me, what big Jack did was transcend the match they were playing and even the Ryder Cup istelf.

No one would have remembered 30 years later whether Jacklin had holed it or not, but every golfer has an opinion on the gimmie. For me that shows a mutual respect between highly competitive sportsmen and a jesture that says 'we're taking the trophy home regardless, so a half is the fair result considering what a great match we've had'.

He made the Ryder Cup an even greater event with that jesture and made match play golf an even more attractive format for the ameteur.

In my Bag,

Putter: a two ball copy
SW: Titleist vokey
GW: Cleveland 52dg Irons: Ping eye 3, pw - 3 & a non descript 1 iron.Woods: King Cobra 5wDriver: Titleist 360 TIn my Hip flask: Scotch

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foreleft Member

foreleft

The bit that winds me up the most is the belittlement of that great moment with Jacklin & Nicklaus. He reckons (as many do) that Nicklaus should have made him putt it, but for me, what big Jack did was transcend the match they were playing and even the Ryder Cup istelf.

Well said....to the OP...if you have to think about marking it, and lining it up, it's not a gimmie. Putt out.
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zeg Great Member

zeg

A lot of good points made above, I'll "metoo" a few of them...

Gimmes are given, not taken. The game of golf is intended to be played, as was said above, from tee to cup. I don't see the issue. If the "extra" time used to putt out is significant, then they weren't gimmes. A gimme for a pro is and should be different from a gimme for a high handicapper. And are they mixed in with gamesmanship? YES, and that's how it should be. If you just want to go out and play a round, then just play stroke play independently. If you're playing a match, it's a competition, and it's up to each player to decide how to win.

So go in expecting to putt everything out. At least, that's my feeling.

In the bag:
FT-iQ 10° driver, FT 21° neutral 3H
T-Zoid Forged 15° 3W, MX-23 4-PW
Harmonized 52° GW, Tom Watson 56° SW, X-Forged Vintage 60° LW
White Hot XG #1 Putter, 33"

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J-Rob Well Established Member

J-Rob

Frankly I don't want to be given anything. If I can make the putt then I will and if I cant then I will miss it and we'll have to stay on the green for a few extra seconds.

If someone "gave" me a putt that was more than a literal "tap in" then it would be on my mind for quite a while of whether or not I would have actually made it.

"The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." - Oscar Wilde

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