Gimme

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For other uses, see Gimme (disambiguation).

Gimme in golf is a shot that the other players agree can count automatically without actually being played.

When a player has only a short putt left to play, other players may grant a gimme, i.e. one stroke is counted, but the ball is not actually played. A gimme is a time-saving convention under the tacit assumption that the putt would not have been missed, e.g., if the ball landed right next to the hole.

"Gimmes" are not allowed by the rules in stroke play, but this is often practiced in casual matches. However, in match play, either player may formally concede a stroke, a hole, or the entire match at any time, and this may not be refused or withdrawn. A player in match play will generally concede a tap-in or other short putt by his or her opponent.