Gimmes on the Golf Course

Should you hand out Gimmes?

Gimmes. They have been a part of the game of golf since its inception. In tournament golf their tradition stems from prestigious events such as the US Amateur and US Open which, early on, were both played in the matchplay format. Their presence continues on the professional circuit today in matchplay events such as the Accenture World Match Play Championship and, of course, the Ryder Cup. Matchplay of course is the key word here. No putts can be given in competitive strokeplay events…ever. If it aint in, it aint in…them be the rules of golf and they apply to the pros and weekend warriors alike!

Outside of the professional game, gimmes are far more common. Social games between regular playing partners for instance, often see gimmes handed out in a somewhat liberal fashion; and I am all for that. After all, with nothing on the line except maybe a pint of beer and a packet of dry roasted nuts, why not speed up play with some timely generosity on the greens?

I do understand however, that not all golfers can agree when it comes to the gimme, as proved by our recent post on social media that saw some, let’s say, mixed responses!

What is a Gimme in Golf?

A gimme in golf refers to a short putt that is considered so easy to make that opponents allow the player to pick up the ball and count it as holed without actually putting it. The term comes from “give me” as in asking “Will you give me that shot?”

Above we can see a social post we posted which golfers had plenty to say about!

On one side of the coin you have those who want to see every putt holed out no matter how short or insignificant it might seem. These golfers would certainly agree with Henry Cotton who once said, “Every shot counts. The 3-foot putt is as important as the 300-yard drive.” Even if you’re more liberal when it comes to handing out freebies on the golf course, if you take personal pride into consideration, holing everything out makes your score at the end of the round all the more meaningful. After all, how much better would it feel to shoot your best ever score, safe in the knowledge that you well and truly earned it?

Flip the coin over though and you have golfers who, in various situations would rather give (or be given in most cases!) short putts in an effort to speed up play, make the game a little more relaxing and ultimately enjoyable. After all, we’re not putting to win The Masters are we?!

When Should a Gimme Be Given?

This is where the problem with gimmes lies. If we can’t all agree as to whether gimmes should indeed be given or not – and assuming that  how are we supposed to reach common ground when it comes to just how short a putt has to be to be considered a gimme?

In previous years, when there was one standard putter length that all golfers played with, putts that were “inside the leather” – a measurement from the bottom of the putter grip to the putter head – were, for the most part, standard for awarding gimmes.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Today though, with putter ranging from anywhere from Robert Garrigus’ 28 incher to the 50 broom handle putters that are rife on the Champions Tour, that measurement kind of goes out the window.

I’d bet some of the golfers in the video above would have loved a Gimme. Then again, our games don’t have quite the same level of importance as theirs!

It all comes down then, to the individuals in question and, in my humble opinion; I’d like to think golfers from each side of the gimme argument could come to some sort of compromise.

Personally, when it comes to casual rounds with friends, I am happy to give putts from inside two feet or so and, on the odd occasion, when for instance one of them is putting from three feet for a triple bogey, I will give them the nod and put them out of their misery! In competition however (matchplay of course), I am a little stingier…

That’s not to say I am really mean when it comes to handing out freebies in a competitive situation. Having played my fair share of matchplay over the years, I have come up with a set of guidelines for what I consider a gimme to be.

To put it simply, I gage the putts I give according to the ones I am given by my opponent on the day. If I get given a two-footer (if you play me, you’d be wise not to give me anything outside of 6 inches!) for a half on one hole, my opponent will be afforded the same luxury for a half later in the match. That is of course, unless I am a well down in the match and staring down the barrel of a 5&4 drubbing! Also, needless to say, when it comes to the putt that wins or loses the match, it has to be holed in my book.

So, for me, a gimme is a consideration of my opponent’s propensity for generosity and of course, the value of the putt in question in relation to the match score at the time. With that said, I’ll now give my two cents on how you can almost guarantee not getting a gimme from me!

The Golf Experts in our London office are undecided on the Gimmestick

One thing that, to borrow a phrase from Family Guy’s Peter Griffin “really grinds my gears” is when, having lagged up to a foot and a half or so, your opponent stalks the hole for an age, clearly waiting for the magic words, before giving you “that look”.

Sometimes, depending on my mood, I will cave to this sort of pressure but one way to absolutely, 100%, all-day-every-day ensure you won’t have a putt given – for the rest of the round as well – is to actually ask for one to be given! In my book, if you’re that desperate for a gimme, the putt in question realistically isn’t a gimme is it? Otherwise why not just step up and tap it in?

Before you think of me as some mean boss of the moss who enjoys seeing people miss little tiddlers, I myself have suffered badly from the yips in recent years and while I am commonly hopeful of putts being given to me, I never EXPECT a putt to be given. This way I’m never disappointed and always ready to (at least attempt to) knock it in.

Whatever your opinion on the gimme matter might be just remember there is some truth to the following…

A gimme can best be defined as an agreement between 2 golfers, neither of whom can putt very well!

Maybe we should all just practice our putting just in case!