Gimme
A gimme is a putt that is conceded to you in match play because it is considered safely holed.
The word Gimme comes from the American "give me" and means the same process that in German is called conceded. Your opponent or your playing partners accept a short putt; you do not have to play it. There is no fixed distance for it — the old rule of thumb "within the putter grip" is a courtesy tradition, not a rule. The only decisive factor: in match play the opponent may concede whenever he wants. He may concede a hole, a putt or even the whole Match.
In practice the gimme is above all an everyday phenomenon. Example: you are playing a casual round with friends, your ball remains fifty centimetres in front of the hole. Someone says "gimme", you pick up the ball and record one stroke more. That keeps the pace of play high and the round relaxed. In official match play players pay closer attention to what they concede, because every conceded putt is a wasted pressure moment for the opponent.
The classic mistake is the confusion with stroke play. There the gimme does not exist: every ball must be holed, otherwise the hole counts as not finished. Anyone who has strokes "conceded" to them at the club tournament invalidates the scorecard. So remember the simple rule: gimme is match play and private round, never a stroke play round counting for handicap. If in doubt, rather putt out — otherwise that one metre costs you more than two strokes.
FAQ
Is there a fixed distance from which a putt counts as a gimme?
No, an official distance does not exist. The often quoted rule of thumb "within the putter grip" is pure courtesy tradition, not a rule. In match play the opponent may concede every putt, no matter how long or short it is — he can even concede a whole hole or the match to you.
Why do professionals concede each other long putts in match play?
Because it belongs to match play tactics. Conceding generously early can influence the opponent's rhythm: anyone who did not have to play a short putt for hours often no longer strikes the decisive metre at the last hole safely. Late in the close match short putts are therefore deliberately no longer conceded.
What happens if I take a gimme in stroke play?
Then you have not finished the hole according to the rules. In stroke play the gimme does not exist — every ball must be holed. If you pick up anyway, the round is not scored or you are disqualified. Mnemonic: gimme belongs in match play and the private round, never on a card that counts for handicap purposes.