Gimmes in League Playoffs

[Zekez]

Do you change your approach with gimme's when you have your League playoffs?  Are you more likely to not give as many putts, give more putts or stay pretty much the same?

I assume most here that play in a league do it mainly for fun, but let's face it, everyone likes to win too!

I probably lean towards giving less putts in the playoffs as I assume my opponent will be doing the same.  But as the match goes on that can change.

[DaveP043]

4 minutes ago, Zekez said:

Do you change your approach with gimme's when you have your League playoffs?  Are you more likely to not give as many putts, give more putts or stay pretty much the same?

I'd say I stay pretty consistent.  I generally don't give any "questionable" putts on a normal day, and I approach match play tournaments and interclub league playoffs the same way.  My interpretation of "questionable" may vary based on my familiarity with my opponent, and with my observations of his putting during the match.  I'm not one to play games with gimmes, I'll let a player know if I expect him to putt it as soon as I decide.  I don't concede putts early in a match and then make him putt the same putt later.  In my experience, those tactics rarely have any effect on the performance of the player, and thinking about "gamesmanship" only distracts me from my own job.

[David in FL]

The definition of a "gimme"...  An agreement between two golfers, neither of whom putt very well.  

My overall strategy doesn't really change.  I don't give too many putts outside of kick-in range anyway.  I've just seen too may 18" putts missed in the stress of competition over the years.  

 

[JxQx]

Typically I stay pretty consistent, if I haven't played you before they are definitely putting the first few unless they are almost guaranteed makes. After that the only time I'm making them putt out in what i would consider "gimme" range is if there is a good amount of break in it. So far this year in my league I've seen a bunch of 2 footers missed because they cant bring themselves to aim outside/edge of the hole on a short putt.

[Fourputt]

That would depend on the league.  Some leagues actually play by the Rules of Golf, so no gimmes are ever allowed.  For others, you'd think that no rule book was ever written.

I play in a 9 hole league that plays 3 man teams (2 teams and up to 6 players per hole), and we do gimmes.  I also play in a tournament men's club that plays strictly by the rules, no concessions except in our match play tournaments.  In either case, I don't change my approach toward conceding putts.

[Asmanning95]

I'm very generous when I'm winning well and it's not a putt to win the hole...

[Vinny Cap]

I don't like to do gimme's.  We use to do anything inside 15" but I like to putt everything out and make everyone as well.

[David in FL]

6 minutes ago, Fourputt said:

That would depend on the league.  Some leagues actually play by the Rules of Golf, so no gimmes are ever allowed.  For others, you'd think that no rule book was ever written.

I play in a 9 hole league that plays 3 man teams (2 teams and up to 6 players per hole), and we do gimmes.  I also play in a tournament men's club that plays strictly by the rules, no concessions except in our match play tournaments.  In either case, I don't change my approach toward conceding putts.

Based on his last sentence, I assumed the OP is talking about match play...

[Zekez]

Just now, David in FL said:

Based on his last sentence, I assumed the OP is talking about match play...

Yes match play.  Sorry I didn't make that clear.

[Fourputt]

7 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Based on his last sentence, I assumed the OP is talking about match play...

Terminology is misused and abused so often on this forum that it takes emphasis or specific mention to be certain of the form of play.

Again, I don't change the way I concede putts at any time.  It usually depends on the likelihood of my opponent making it.

[Rainmaker]

For match play, anything inside the putter grip is good . .otherwise you can putt it.  If an opponent asks for more gimme's or acts like I should be giving more putts - I will give more putts . .I don't really care, lol.  To me, though . .if it's really a "gimme" . .might as well putt it then. 

For stroke play I don't even think about giving putts.  If an opponent "takes" it . .that's fine . .I don't care . .but I don't offer it. 

[imsys0042]

My strategy doesn't change in matches.   If I am sure they are going to make it, I concede.   I did have someone, last year, who had two putts to tie the last hole when he was 1-up from 6 feet on a flat part of the green and I conceded the putt.   No way he was going to take more that 2 putts, but he did look a little surprised.

 

[Natural Patrick]

If I had a dollar for every putt that I have seen missed, inside the putter grip, including myself of course. it would be enough to take a nice golfing vacation somewhere. I tend to just go with the flow in league or match play of what the people I'm playing with want to do. I do wish I could be more vocal at times when I really think they should just putt out. I just can't bring myself to go against the flow. When I play with close friends for money, we putt everything and I have seen what can happen.

[DaveP043]

19 minutes ago, Rainmaker said:

For match play, anything inside the putter grip is good . .otherwise you can putt it.  If an opponent asks for more gimme's or acts like I should be giving more putts - I will give more putts . .I don't really care, lol.  To me, though . .if it's really a "gimme" . .might as well putt it then. 

I learned a long time ago not to let my opponents decisions about my putts bother me.  If I can't make every one like "this", I don't deserve to have it conceded.  If I CAN make every one, then I don't mind putting it.  I expect my opponents to act similarly.  If they're visibly bothered at having to putt something, they're going to putt everything all day long.

20 minutes ago, Rainmaker said:

For stroke play I don't even think about giving putts.  If an opponent "takes" it . .that's fine . .I don't care . .but I don't offer it. 

If I'm in a stroke play competition, and I see someone giving himself a putt, I'll remind him that he HAS to putt out to turn in a score.  Informal play, I don't care, but in a competition, play by the same rules everyone else does.

7 minutes ago, imsys0042 said:

My strategy doesn't change in matches.   If I am sure they are going to make it, I concede.   I did have someone, last year, who had two putts to tie the last hole when he was 1-up from 6 feet on a flat part of the green and I conceded the putt.   No way he was going to take more that 2 putts, but he did look a little surprised.

I've done that too.  If there's virtually no chance a guy will 3-putt from a certain spot, and needs 2 putts to win a hole, its good, lets move on.

[Elmer]

I play in a very friendly league, we all tend to give puts with in the grip of the putter.
I will give a put usually up to 18".

I will get more lenient depending on how tight the match is and how my opponent is playing.

I will give a 10ft put when my opponent is putting for an 8 on a par 3.

Then again we have 1 guy in the league who gives nothing. We all think he is a Richard!

[Patch]

With a few exceptions , I don't normally give, or accept give away putts. I actually give away more putts than I accept. Maybe at a 10/1 ratio. 

If my partner is struggling, I'll help him/ her out. About the only one's I accept, are the ones about ready to fall in as it is. 

[DaveP043]

12 minutes ago, Patch said:

With a few exceptions , I don't normally give, or accept give away putts. I actually give away more putts than I accept. Maybe at a 10/1 ratio. 

In match play, you don't accept a conceded putt.  Once your opponent has conceded it you're done playing that hole.  Of course you can putt it for practice, and for your handicap posting, but you can't refuse a conceded putt.  And if you're talking informal play, never mind what I just typed.

[Dave2512]

All of depends on who I draw, if my opponent is a 20 handicap I am already giving up a lot. Many times it comes to conceding putts or not conceding putts as a way to get in their head because I have to play great and they have to make mistakes for me to have a chance. Match play is not my fave thing in league because of the handicap differences. I've seen low single digit guys draw flight 3 guys and they're done before they start.