What a ‘Gimme’ Means in Golf

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Quick Answer: What is a Gimme in Golf?

• A “gimme” is a putt so short and easy that your playing partner lets you count it as made without actually hitting the ball.
• It’s pure courtesy in casual rounds, not a formal rule in official play.
• The golfer whose turn it is to putt makes the call.

Who This Is For

• New golfers trying to get the hang of on-course etiquette.
• Anyone looking to keep the pace of play moving on a casual round.

What to Check First

• Putt Distance: Is it seriously short? Like, tap-in short? We’re talking maybe a foot or two, tops.
• Ball Lie: Is it sitting pretty on a flat spot, or is it tucked behind a root or on a slope that makes it a little dicey?
• Game Vibe: Are you playing for bragging rights or just enjoying the sunshine with buddies? A gimme fits the latter. Don’t be that guy trying to get a gimme on the 18th hole when you’re tied.
• Your Opponent: Are they the type to appreciate a quick courtesy, or do they want every single stroke accounted for, no matter how small? Gauge their personality.

Step-by-Step Plan for Offering or Accepting a Gimme

Here’s how to handle the gimme situation on the green, whether you’re giving or getting. It’s all about good vibes and keeping the game moving.

1. Observe Your Opponent’s Putt.

• Action: Pay attention as your playing partner lines up their shot.
• What to look for: Where’s the ball relative to the hole? How’s it sitting on the green? Is it a tricky downhill slider or a straight roll? Does it look like a guaranteed make or a potential lip-out?
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t just glance and assume. Take a good, honest look. Rushing this can lead to awkward moments where you offer a gimme on a putt that’s clearly not a gimme, or vice versa. I once saw a guy try to give a gimme on a six-footer that broke like a river. Didn’t end well.

2. Assess the Putt’s Difficulty.

• Action: Seriously consider the challenge presented by the putt.
• What to look for: Is it a simple, flat, straight-in putt? Or is there slope, grain, or a tricky break involved that could easily cause a miss? Is the ball sitting up nicely, or is it half-buried in a divot mark?
• Mistake to avoid: Offering a gimme on a putt that’s even a little bit challenging. That’s asking for trouble and can annoy your playing partner. A gimme is for putts that are virtually impossible to miss.

3. Decide if a Gimme is Appropriate.

• Action: Make a judgment call based on your assessment.
• What to look for: Based on the distance and difficulty you observed, does this feel like a putt that truly doesn’t need to be made? Is it so short and straight that it’s almost disrespectful not to give it?
• Mistake to avoid: Forcing a gimme when it’s not really there. Stick to the spirit of the game. It’s a courtesy, not an entitlement. If you’re unsure, err on the side of making them putt it.

4. Clearly Offer the Gimme (if you’re the one giving).

• Action: Verbally offer the putt to your opponent.
• What to look for: A simple, clear statement. Common phrases include, “You got that one,” “That’s good,” “Tap it in,” or “I’ll give you that.” Make sure your voice carries.
• Mistake to avoid: Vague mumbling or a hesitant tone. Make sure your partner hears and understands you’re giving them the putt. If they have to ask, “Did you say gimme?”, you didn’t do it right.

5. Accept or Decline the Gimme (if you’re the one receiving).

• Action: Respond to the offer.
• What to look for: Your own confidence in making the putt. If it’s a true gimme – a tap-in you couldn’t miss if you tried – you can accept. If there’s even a sliver of doubt, decline.
• Mistake to avoid: Accepting a gimme if you have any doubt at all. It’s better to putt it out and make it than to accept the gimme, miss the imaginary putt, and then have to admit you should have taken the stroke. That’s just embarrassing.

6. Mark Your Score Accordingly.

• Action: Record your score for the hole.
• What to look for: Ensure the score reflects the gimme if it was accepted. If you accepted a gimme, you mark it as a “3” if it was your third stroke, for example.
• Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to record the putt as made. This is where scores can get fudged unintentionally, and it’s no fun when someone else catches it later. Keep your scorecard honest.

7. Communicate with Your Playing Partners about Gimme Expectations.

• Action: Have a brief chat before the round, especially if you’re playing with new people.
• What to look for: Are you all on the same page about what constitutes a gimme? Is it a foot? Two feet? Three feet? Are downhill putts off the table?
• Mistake to avoid: Assuming everyone plays by the same unspoken rules. This can lead to passive-aggressive behavior or outright arguments on the course. A quick “Hey, what’s your usual gimme length?” can save a lot of hassle.

Understanding Gimmes on the Green

The concept of a gimme is all about keeping the game flowing and friendly. It’s a handshake agreement on the course, a part of the unspoken social contract of golf, not something you’ll find etched in the official Rules of Golf. For casual rounds, it’s a fantastic way to speed things up. Imagine playing a round where everyone has to putt out every single three-foot putt – it would take forever! A gimme shows you’re playing friendly golf and not trying to nickel-and-dime your buddies on every single hole. It’s a fundamental part of the casual golfer’s playbook, a nod to sportsmanship and camaraderie. It’s like getting a little break on your taxes, but for golf strokes.

What Is a Gimme in Golf and When Is It Used?

When we talk about a gimme, we’re referring to a putt that is so short and so straightforward that the player whose turn it is to putt is allowed to mark it as holed without actually making the stroke. This is exclusively a convention of casual play. In any sort of competitive setting, from a friendly match play event with stakes to a full-blown stroke play tournament, you are required by the Rules of Golf to putt every ball until it disappears into the hole [1]. The decision to offer a gimme rests entirely with the player who would be putting next. They are the gatekeeper of the gimme. It’s a signal of trust and a desire for efficiency. It’s also a good way to gauge the general mood of the group. If everyone’s relaxed and cracking jokes, gimmes tend to flow freely. If the tension is high and everyone’s laser-focused, they might be less common.

Common Mistakes

• Offering a gimme on a putt that is too long or difficult — Why it matters: This can lead to frustration and arguments. Your playing partner might feel you’re not taking the game seriously or are being dismissive of their ability. It can also create an awkward situation if they feel obligated to accept. — Fix: Be realistic about the putt’s ease. If it’s over three feet or has any significant break, or if the lie is poor, it’s probably not a gimme. Stick to putts that are virtually impossible to miss.
• Not clearly stating the offer of a gimme — Why it matters: Ambiguity can cause confusion and slow down play. Your partner might not be sure if you actually offered it or just paused, leading to them putt-ing unnecessarily or, worse, assuming you offered and then getting called out for it. — Fix: Use clear, concise language like, “You’ve got that one,” “That’s good,” or “Tap it in.” Make it unmistakable.
• Accepting a gimme when unsure of making the putt — Why it matters: This can lead to an inaccurate score and potentially give you an unfair advantage. It’s better to be honest with yourself and your score. Plus, if you miss it, you’ll feel like a total chump. — Fix: If in doubt, putt it out. Your score is more important than saving a second or two of time. Trust your own ability to make the putt.
• Expecting a gimme automatically — Why it matters: Gimmes are an offer, a gesture of goodwill, not a right. Expecting one can come across as entitled or arrogant, which is a surefire way to annoy your playing partners. — Fix: Wait for the offer. It’s a courtesy, not an obligation. If it doesn’t come, don’t push it.
• Offering gimmes too liberally — Why it matters: This can devalue the game and make practice putts feel less important. It can also be frustrating for players who are trying to hone their short game and want the practice. — Fix: Reserve gimmes for genuinely short, easy putts in truly casual settings. Don’t make it a habit on every single short putt.
• Not knowing when to stop offering gimmes — Why it matters: If you’re playing in a more serious casual round, or if your playing partner is clearly trying to work on their short game, continuously offering gimmes might be counterproductive. — Fix: Read the room. If the vibe shifts, or if your partner declines a few gimmes, it’s probably time to stop offering them and just let everyone putt out.
• Offering a gimme on a dangerous putt — Why it matters: A short downhill putt that could easily roll off the green if mishandled is rarely a gimme. Offering one here can put your partner in an awkward spot if they feel pressured to accept and then subsequently skull it into a water hazard. — Fix: Only offer gimmes on putts that are truly benign. If there’s any risk of a bad outcome, let them putt.

FAQ

• What is the official rule on gimmes?

There isn’t one in official stroke play or match play competitions. Gimmes are a matter of courtesy and agreement among players in casual rounds and are not recognized by the Rules of Golf. [1]

• How short does a putt have to be to be considered a gimme?

There’s no set distance defined by the rules. It’s subjective and depends on the players involved. Typically, putts inside three feet are often considered gimmes, but it’s really about how easy the putt looks and the players’ comfort level. Some groups might extend it to four or even five feet for a straight, flat putt. [2]

• Can you offer a gimme on a downhill putt?

You can offer a gimme on any putt you deem easy enough. If it’s a short, straight downhill tap-in that you’re 100% sure they’ll make, then sure. However, if it’s a downhill slider that could easily run off the green, it’s almost certainly not a gimme. Use your best judgment.

• What if my playing partner keeps offering me gimmes I don’t want?

Politely decline. You can say something like, “Thanks, but I want to make sure I get this one,” or “I’m working on my short game today, so I’d like to putt it out.” Most golfers will understand and respect your desire to practice.

• Can you offer a gimme in a tournament?

Absolutely not. In official stroke play tournaments, you must putt every ball out until it is holed. Offering or accepting a gimme would be a serious rules violation and could lead to disqualification. [1] This is where the “gimme” concept completely disappears.

• Is there a standard length for a gimme?

No, there isn’t a universally agreed-upon standard length. It’s determined by the players involved in the round. What one group considers a gimme, another might not. It’s best to establish this understanding before teeing off if you’re playing with a new group.

• What happens if I accept a gimme and then miss the putt?

This is an awkward situation. The spirit of the gimme is that it’s considered made. If you accept it and then miss, you’ve essentially cheated yourself (and potentially your opponent if you’re playing match play). The best course of action is to own up to it, mark the score as if you made it (as agreed), and perhaps have a quiet word with yourself about being more confident or declining the gimme next time.

Sources:

• What Is a Gimme in Golf and When Is It Used?
• What Is A Gimme In Golf?