Conceding
Conceding means giving your opponent a putt in match play — the ball is deemed holed without being played.
Conceding, known as "concede" or colloquially "gimme", belongs to Match Play. There you play hole by hole against an opponent, and you may concede a stroke to them at any time. It is customary for very short putts: If the ball lies one club head from the hole, you say "that's good" or "I'll give you that one", and the opponent picks the ball up. The conceded putt counts as holed. Important: Conceding is only allowed in match play; in Stroke Play every ball must be played into the hole.
In practice conceding has two functions: It speeds up the round and belongs to etiquette. An example from Matchplay: Your opponent has a 40-centimeter putt to halve the hole. You concede it, both walk to the next tee, the hole is halved. Conversely, you can also use conceding strategically: Anyone who concedes short putts to the opponent early in the round and later, under pressure, suddenly makes them putt changes their rhythm. That is allowed and part of match play tactics — as long as you do not use it deliberately to disturb.
The most common mistake happens in private stroke play: "I'll give you that one" on the club round, and the round is then submitted for handicap scoring. That is against the rules — for a valid handicap round every ball must be holed. A second misconception: A conceded putt cannot be taken back. Once you have conceded the hole, the decision stands, even if the opponent plays the Putt afterwards as practice and misses. In tournaments in stroke play format the rule is fundamentally: hole out, always.
FAQ
May I take back a conceded putt?
No, once conceded the decision stands — the ball counts as holed, even if your opponent plays the putt afterwards as practice and misses. So take your time thinking about conceding, especially on important holes in matchplay. A concede cannot be taken back.
Why am I not allowed to concede putts in stroke play?
Because in stroke play every ball must actually be holed — conceding is a rule that exists only in match play. Anyone who concedes putts on a private round and submits the result for handicap scoring is playing against the rules. In tournaments and on handicap-relevant rounds the rule is therefore always: hole out, no exceptions.
Can I use conceding tactically?
Yes, that belongs to match play tactics: If you concede short putts early in the round and later make your opponent putt suddenly under pressure, you change their rhythm. That is allowed as long as you do not use it deliberately to disturb. In match play the timing of concessions is almost as important as your own game.