Tab In
A tab in, more commonly spelled tap-in, is a putt from the shortest distance that only needs to be tapped in.
The term comes from the English "to tap", meaning to touch lightly. What is meant is the remaining putt when the ball is only a few centimetres from the hole. Rule of thumb: anything within one putter length. The ball no longer needs a swing; a short tap is enough. The tab in counts like any other stroke, even if it is considered unmissable. It finishes the hole — only then may you take the ball out of the hole.
In practice, it is about routine and etiquette. One example: your first putt from eight metres runs up 30 centimetres to the hole. You walk over, address the ball briefly and tap it in without marking it first. That is allowed as long as you do not disturb anyone and do not step on a fellow player's putting line, and it keeps play moving. In stroke play, you must play and count this stroke as well. The hole is only finished once the ball is at rest and lies below the top edge of the hole.
In casual play among friends, the tab in is often not played at all but given as a gimme. In competitive play this is prohibited: conceded putts there risk disqualification for both players involved. The typical fault in your own game is nonchalance. Precisely the seemingly certain short putts become a problem under pressure, and the notorious yips almost always show up at exactly this distance. Get into the habit of holing the tab in with the same small routine as every other putt.
FAQ
Do I really have to play out a tap-in in a tournament?
Yes, in stroke play there are no conceded putts; every ball must go into the hole. Anyone who knocks the ball away or assumes it is given has not finished the hole and risks disqualification. Only in casual play among friends may you be handed the short remainder as a gimme.
May I tap in the short remaining putt straight away without marking it?
Yes, that is allowed and keeps play moving, as long as you do not disturb anyone. Just make sure you are not standing on another player's putting line and that your ball has truly come to rest before you tap it. If your ball lies on someone else's line, it is better to mark it briefly.
Why do I miss precisely the very short putts?
Because you tick them off as safe and let the routine slip: no reading of the line, no practice swing, half concentration. It is precisely under pressure that the dreaded yips show up at this distance. Get into the habit of holing every tap-in with the same small routine as every other putt.