When should you concede a putt?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 11, 2026
Putts are never conceded in stroke play, even in a sudden-death playoff between two players. Every putt must be holed. The conceded putt is strictly a match play convention. Players are not supposed to ask, “Is that good?” in an effort to encourage their opponents to give them a putt.
When can you concede a putt?
Under the Rules of Golf, putting out after a concession is fair game; nothing forbids it. The concession stands regardless of the outcome of the putt. The one exception comes in four-ball match play, if a player putts out after a concession and doing so gives his partner an advantage.
Can you concede a putt in stroke play?
Conceded putts are not allowed under the rules in stroke play; in stroke play, you must always putt your ball into the hole. ("Gimmes" exist in stroke play, but are illegal under the rules. If you are playing by the rules, conceded putts are allowed only in match play.)
Can you refuse a conceded putt in match play?
In match play only, you may decide to concede a stroke to your opponent. The ball is considered holed and your opponent may pick it up. You may also concede a hole, or the entire match. A concession cannot be declined or withdrawn.
Are you allowed to putt a conceded putt?
Normally in match play, players are permitted to putt out after a concession — but not in four-ball in a situation only when doing so you can help your partner. Once you conceded A's putt, he has completed play on the hole, in this case making a par.
17 related questions foundWhy would you concede a putt?
They give the opponents short putts early and then grow quieter as the match wears on. The thinking is that the opponents will not have gotten accustomed to making short putts and may have trouble when forced to make them under pressure later in the round. There is not a commonly accepted length for conceding putts.
Why do Gimmes exist in golf?
It is an act of sportsmanship. It is also justified as speeding up play by stopping players having to hole out from short distances. A gimme can be given over any distance or none at all. There is no requirement for someone to give a gimme.
Is there a penalty for playing out of turn in golf?
In all cases, there is no penalty if you play out of turn, except that if you and another player agree to play out of turn to give one of you an advantage, you both get the general penalty. (two penalty strokes). “Ready Golf”.
Can you finish putting?
Normally in match play, players are permitted to putt out after a concession — but not in four-ball in a situation only when doing so you can help your partner. Once you conceded A's putt, he has completed play on the hole, in this case making a par.
Can you practice on the golf course before a match?
A player must not practise on the course before a round, except that the player may practise putting or chipping on or near his or her first teeing area and practise on any practice area. A player may practise on the course after completing play of his or her final round for that day.
What are the rules for putting in golf?
13.1 Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens. Purpose of Rule: This Rule allows the player to do things on the putting green that are normally not allowed off the putting green, such as being allowed to mark, lift, clean and replace a ball and to repair damage and remove sand and loose soil on the putting green.
What is the penalty for hitting another player's golf ball?
The penalty for playing a wrong ball is two strokes, and the correction must be made before the player tees off on the next hole. If it is not corrected and the player starts play of the next hole, he/she is disqualified.
What is early concession in golf?
In match play, a golfer may concede a shot or the match at any time. This is typically done on the putting green, when a golfer concedes his opponent's very short putt. A conceded shot is considered holed, no matter where it occurs.
Can you putt out of turn?
Rule 10. USGA Rule 10, Order of Play determines when players should hit their shots. However, the rule does allow for golfers to shoot out of turn. According to the rule, if the player farthest from the hole is not ready to play, he can ask another player to hit a shot or putt.
Can you play ready golf matchplay?
“Ready golf” is not appropriate in match play due to the strategy involved between opponents and the need to have a set method for determining which player plays first. However, in stroke play formats it is only the act of agreeing to play out of turn to give one of the players an advantage that is prohibited.
Can you play 2 golf competitions at the same time?
Player May Compete in Multiple Stroke-Play Formats at Same Time. A player may compete simultaneously in multiple forms of stroke-play competitions, such as regular stroke play, Stableford, Maximum Score, and Par/Bogey.
What is the 10 shot rule in golf?
The 10-shot rule was introduced in 1962 and endured in 2013 when the cut went from the top 44 players and ties to the top 50 along with anyone within 10 strokes of the lead. Because of the move to November and daylight considerations, officials are starting players off the first and 10th tees for Rounds 1 and 2.
Who should tee off first?
Traditionally, the golfer with the lowest handicap is chosen to tee off first. But for most games, golfers tee off randomly, requiring some sort of draw. An easy way to achieve such a draw is to throw a tee. All players stand in a circle and one tosses a tee into the center.
Can you stand behind a golfer when he is putting?
When it comes to reading a putt's break, members of a four-ball team may stand nearly anywhere on the green to watch a partner putt, with one exception: They're not allowed to stand on or close to an extension of the player's line of putt behind the ball (Rule 14-2b).
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.
Does gimme count as stroke?
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.
How close is a gimme in golf?
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.
What happens if you concede a hole in golf?
Golf Defintion
Essentially, in competition--whether friendly or otherwise--conceding a hole means stopping play on a hole and admitting that another player has "won" the hole.
Can a player decline a concession by their opponent?
Concessions must be clearly communicated and are final – they cannot be declined or withdrawn, so there is no issue if, for example, you miss a putt that has been conceded.
What is the unplayable rule in golf?
If you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.