Rules guide
What is a gimme in golf?
A gimme is a short putt that your opponent concedes, so you don't have to hit it. They say "that's good", "pick it up" or simply "gimme", and your ball counts as holed with one more stroke.
Gimmes keep the game moving and save everyone from watching tap-ins. But they come with rules and etiquette, and they're only allowed in one format.
When is a gimme allowed?
Only in match play. In match play, your opponent may concede your next stroke at any time. That's what a gimme is. The Rules of Golf treat it as a concession: once it's given, it can't be refused or taken back.
Not in stroke play. In stroke play (where every stroke counts toward a total), everyone must hole out on every hole. A friendly group might wave a short putt through, but strictly that isn't allowed, and the score isn't a true stroke-play score.
How close is a gimme?
There's no official distance. It's up to the person giving it. Common customs:
- "Inside the leather": a putt no longer than the length of a putter's grip, or the distance from the putter head to the bottom of the grip, depending on who you ask.
- About 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) in many friendly games.
- Never on the last putt for the match, in some groups, so that matches are won by a holed putt.
If your group plays gimmes, agree what counts before the round.
Gimme etiquette
- It's given, not taken. Wait for your opponent to say it's good. Don't pick up your ball and assume.
- You can ask, politely, once. Some golfers are happy to be asked; others prefer to offer. Don't keep asking.
- Giving one isn't a weakness. Conceding a tap-in early in a match is good manners. Some players hold back gimmes later in a match when the pressure is higher; that's part of match play too.
- A gimme you don't need is still good. If your opponent concedes your putt, accept it. You can't play it anyway.
Do gimmes count for your handicap?
Yes. Under the World Handicap System, when a stroke is conceded or a hole isn't finished, you record your most likely score: the score you'd most likely have made, usually the strokes taken plus one for a short putt. How golf handicaps work.
Gimmes in One Fairway
One Fairway has gimmes in match play, built to feel like the real thing without slowing anyone down.
- Match play only: 1v1 match play and 2v2 alternate shot, friendly and ranked. Never in stroke play: there you hole out.
- Within about 3 feet (1 metre). When your ball stops on the green that close to the hole, it can be given.
- Offered. Your opponent sees a "Give the putt" button as soon as your ball stops, and can tap it any time until you putt. You never have to wait for it: you can just putt.
- Asked, once. If you'd like it, tap "Ask for a gimme". Your opponent sees your request with "Give it" or "Putt it". No answer within 8 seconds counts as "Putt it". One ask per putt, so nobody gets pestered.
- Who gives it: in 1v1, your opponent; in alternate shot, either opponent, for their team.
- What happens: you see "amara.o gave you the putt" and the ball drops. It counts as holed in one more stroke, and play moves on.
- Your handicap: a given putt counts as an ordinary holed score, the most likely result, as in real golf's handicap system.