To concede or not to concede....

[Zekez]

I had a playoff match last night.  Match play for 9 holes.  After 4 holes I was 3 up.  On hole #5 my opponent hit his approach about 2.5 feet from the hole.  I hit mine to about 15 feet.

So my question is:  Would you have conceded his putt before you putted?  If you make your putt (as I did), would you then concede his putt?  Or would you have made him putt it regardless?

Also, do you ever concede birdie putts?  I never want a birdie putt conceded to me, as i want to "earn" my birdies.

Thanks.

 

 

[iacas]

I think people over-think this stuff.

If you're almost certain he's gonna make it, concede it. Otherwise, don't.

[Groucho Valentine]

4 holes or so is a turning point in a 9 hole match, so It depends on if you could sense if he wanted it conceded or not. If you can tell in his body language or demeanor he didn't want to putt it. Make him putt it. He might yip it. That late in a match (either 9 or 18) i rarely concede anyway unless its within 18 inches. 

Edited August 23, 2018 by Groucho Valentine

[Papa Steve 55]

I don't understand the significance of a "birdie putt" in match play. Your not playing against par, your playing against another player. You only have to make one less then they do. A 9 beats a 10.

I concede more on the early holes than the later ones. Bit of gamesmanship I guess.

[Club Rat]

Anything outside 2' is usually outside the circle of love...
In a nine hole match, conceding putts is a no-no, useless it's good - good situations.

In general, conceding putts early in an 18 hole match I'll sometimes give it up.
But later in the match, everything should be holed...

[NM Golf]

I normally don't concede anything until after I putt. After that if I think they will make it I concede it, if I don't then I make them putt it. It's not rocket science.

[p1n9183]

If i think i could easily sunk my competitor´s putt i will concede, if not.. no way.   

[lastings]

Being up 3 holes after 4 and him needing a 2.5 footer to tie?   That's essentially a loss if he misses that putt.    tons of pressure over a 2.5 footer.   make him putt that for sure. 

[millsan1]

Generally, this is a no from me.  When I play a match, generally, the only time someone concedes is when they lose the hole and pick up.  I put them out and expect my opponent to.  This came into effect last night.  I putted a 1 footer that my opponent said "it's good, don't bother".  I told him I prefer we putt them all out.

At the 9th hole, he had a 2 footer that was for the match and missed, giving me that match.

As long as you are consistent with your style, either one is good.

It's like poker and being in the blinds.  If it is folded around, I always offer to chop, never look at my cards. 

Edited August 23, 2018 by millsan1

[dennyjones]

I realize this was match play.   But in stroke play, at my skill level and those that I play with, we never concede a birdie putt.    Being up by 3 after 4 and you had made your putt, this is one I'd concede in match play.  

[Piz]

That very thing happened to me today.  I had an 8 footer, fairly straight and uphill, for a 2.  My opponent had a 2 footer.  I lipped out, tapped in, and stepped back.  My opponent drained the putt and won the hole.  It never entered my mind to concede.  If there is a 1% chance I might escape with a half...it is a chance I am willing to take.

[Rayrobinson]

I don’t concede birdie putts or putts for the win .

halves is ok .

[DaveP043]

7 hours ago, iacas said:

I think people over-think this stuff.

If you're almost certain he's gonna make it, concede it. Otherwise, don't.

When you ask the question, I think of my attitude if I had that 2.5 footer.  I never get insulted if I have to putt it.  If I can make 100% of those putts, I have no problem putting it.  If I can't make 100% of them, you shouldn't concede it.  As @iacas suggests, concede it only if you're pretty dang certain he'll make it.