What's a gimme called in golf?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 09, 2026
A gimme is a short putt conceded by an opponent. It is still counted as a shot, but the player does not actually play it. Its name comes from a corruption of “give me” as in “will you give me that shot?” asked by a player of their opponent.
Is a gimme allowed in golf?
In golf, a gimme is a shot that the other players agree can count automatically without being played. When a player has only a very short putt left to play, other players may grant a gimme (i.e., one stroke is counted), but the ball is not played.
What length of putt is a gimme?
What is the Length of a Gimme in Golf? A putt is considered to be a gimme if it is within 2.5ft. Some players will take the time to estimate gimmes, while others will eyeball the distance between the ball and cup and decide if it's good.
Are gimme putts allowed?
The short answer is: If you're playing by the Rules of Golf, never. Gimmes (sometimes spelled "gimmies" or "gimmees") are never allowed under the rules.
What is a gimme in sports?
Gimme is a term in golf, where it refers to a short putt one doesn't have to take because it's too easy to miss. Outside sports, gimme is either a colloquial contraction of give me or a metaphorical extension of the golf term.
15 related questions foundIs it gimme or gimmie?
"Gimmie," which is also frequently spelled "gimme," derives from "give me," as in, "Will you give me that putt?" The term arose in the United States and was chiefly an American expression until televised golf spread the word around the world.
What is a mulligan in golf?
The basic definition of mulligan, a term most associated with golf, is a "do-over," a second try after your first has gone awry. Every weekend golfer has taken a few mulligans in their lifetime, and there's no shame in that.
How close is a gimme?
When a putt is a gimme
If it's inside the leather of the putter: Lots of groups call a gimme when a putt stops closer to the hole than the distance from the near lip of the cup to the bottom of the putter grip. It's a little more than 2 feet.
What does inside the grip mean in golf?
And "inside the leather" corresponds to the distance from the bottom of your putter up the shaft to the bottom edge of your putter's grip. That is "inside the leather." If your ball is closer to the hole than the distance from the bottom of your putter to the bottom of your putter's grip, then it is inside the leather.
How far is inside the leather in golf?
Over time, though, the phrase evolved. Exactly when that happened is also hard to say. But at some point, a majority of golfers arrived at a new definition of “inside the leather.” For them, Mallon and Jerris report, it became the measurement “from the putter head to the bottom of the grip, or about 24 inches.”
What does inside the leather mean in golf?
When you hear the phrase "inside the leather" in golf, it means that your opponents or playing partners will give you the next putt (so you don't have to putt it) if your preceding putt finishes close enough to the hole that it's within a circle from the lip of the cup whose radius is the distance from the sole of the ...
Is there gimme in Ryder Cup?
Golf's Rule 2-4 seems simple enough: "A player may concede his opponent's next stroke at any time." It means one player can tell another to simply pick up his ball, add a stroke to his score and proceed to the next hole.
What is golf albatross?
Albatross: This term means three under par, but the "double eagle" synonym is simply a continuation of the aviary theme of good scores. The albatross is rare, as is a three under par.
What is a birdie in golf?
Birdie: In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent" - golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey, course claims that the term originated there in 1903. The meaning being a score of one under par.
What is a slice in golf?
A slice happens when a sidespin is put on the ball, causing it to curve to the right for a right-handed player and to the left for a left-handed player. Sidespin to the right is caused when the clubface is open (pointed right) relative to the path the club is traveling as the club impacts the ball.
What does it mean when someone says gimme?
Gimme, a slang expression, is defined as "give me." When you want someone to hand you an ice cream cone that he is holding, this is an example of a situation where you might say "Gimme the ice cream."
What is a turkey in golf terms?
Its origin is almost certainly American in nature. In ten-pin bowling, a trio of consecutive strikes is called a turkey, while six in a row is known as a wild, or golden, turkey. It wouldn't be the first time golf has borrowed from another sport to expand its lexicon.
What is the rarest shot in golf?
Scoring a condor is the rarest event in golf. This is normally a hole in one at a par five (a two at a par six would also count, but this has never been done). Only five condors have ever been recorded: The most recent was Kevin Pon, who made a 2 on a par 6 at Lake Chabot Golf Course on the 10th December 2020.
What is snowman in golf?
It actually refers to the number '8', which coincidentally looks like a snowman. Should a player record that score on a single hole, then it is given the name of 'snowman', much like a golfer gets a birdie or an eagle.
What putter is Bryson DeChambeau using?
Bryson currently uses a SIK Pro C-Series Armlock putter. It's a rare model to be seen on the PGA Tour and it allows Bryson to putt in his very particular way.
Why did Bryson put putter in hole?
Now Bryson DeChambeau has got himself involved in all this pettiness. He also placed the head of his putter in the hole to demonstrate he should have had his putt conceded.
Who won Ryder Cup?
By Sky Sports Golf
Following the conclusion of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Dustin Johnson (USA) and Sergio Garcia (Europe) were named the inaugural recipients of the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award presented by Aon.
How many mulligans are allowed in golf?
It is rarer still - rarely seen, in fact - for mulligans to be used on the putting green. And some groups allow mulligans from just about anywhere on the golf course, but set a limit - say, three mulligans per round, or nine, or 18.
Why do golfers pick up the ball?
Why Do Golfers Pick Up Their Ball on The Green? Golfers pick up their ball on the green to remove it after it has been marked. This gives them an opportunity to clean the golf ball. The foreign materials on the golf ball can cause it to be unpredictable, meaning it could go anywhere when you hit it.
Is it legal to mark your golf ball with a tee?
Ball-markers must be artificial, such as a tee, coin, the toe of your putter, or other small piece of equipment. A natural object like a leaf or twig may not be used as a ball-marker. The ball-marker must be placed next to the ball, which includes behind, in front, or left and right of the ball.