Irish-Assassin Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Question. Are gimme putts good for the game or are they bad for your golf game. I’ve played with lots of players that love giving gimme putts because they want them returned in kind. I don’t like this, Ive upset players by saying, no sorry I’ll putt it out. My reasoning for this is when I really need to make a putt in say a tourney stroke play or a match play event then I can draw on the fact that I’m comfortable making them. For myself, gimme putts are in play to help speed up the game of golf. What length do people feel is a gimme putt? Some say within the shaft and up to the bottom of the putter grip is a gimme, I say when it’s sitting on the edge of the cup. GolfSpy_APH and Shapotomous 2 Quote Titleist TRS Driver, Titleist TSR 3 Wood, Titleist TRS 2 Hybrid, Titleist T300 irons, Vokey SM9 wedges 56 - 60, Scotty Cameron putter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaDawg Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 No gimmies longer than 6 inches. dobrycki, SteveGH7 and wsmitche 3 Quote Driver: TSI3 - 10*, Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 Stiff Driver: Qi10 - 10.5*, Hzrdus Smoke RDX 6.0 Stiff 3 Wood: Qi10 - 15*, Graphite Design Tour AD DJ5 Stiff 5 Wood: Qi10 - Ventus TR Reg Irons: 5 - PW T150, with Nippon Zelos 7 Reg, 4 iron - U505 with Project X HZRDUS Black Stiff Wedges: Vokey SM 9 - 50*, 60* Standard Wedge Shafts Wedge: Milled Grind 3 MG3 56* S200 shaft Putter: Studio Select Newport 1.5 Putter: Phantom X 5.5 Ball: Pro V1x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GolfSpy_APH Posted May 27, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2023 24 minutes ago, MJ McNamara said: Question. Are gimme putts good for the game or are they bad for your golf game. I’ve played with lots of players that love giving gimme putts because they want them returned in kind. I don’t like this, Ive upset players by saying, no sorry I’ll putt it out. My reasoning for this is when I really need to make a putt in say a tourney stroke play or a match play event then I can draw on the fact that I’m comfortable making them. For myself, gimme putts are in play to help speed up the game of golf. What length do people feel is a gimme putt? Some say within the shaft and up to the bottom of the putter grip is a gimme, I say when it’s sitting on the edge of the cup. Personally i have no issues with gimmes and as I don't have a regular group and play with new ppl basically every round I leave it up to them. Some prefer to putt put everything, some take longer gimmes. I usually putt put all as a habit. Just makes me feel good, but if someone takes a bunch I also couldn't careless. Its their own game to enjoy how they please. Shapotomous, silver & black, BKervin and 7 others 10 Quote as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmroland49 Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 the groups I play with will give some putts, of which some maybe should have been putted out. If I or others are getting ready for a tourney everything will b putted out. Shapotomous and BKervin 1 1 Quote Taylormade R1 driver (set to 9 degrees) Taylormade SLDR driver 10.5 degrees Callaway big bertha 3 wood Wilson 5 wood Taylormade Aeoburner irons (5-pw) Taylormade 52 degree wedge Ping knock-off sand Wedge Warrior 60 degree wedge Trutech putter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Robbins Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Our league does it at a foot, but it becomes more a judgement issue as you're playing. dobrycki, Shapotomous, LebanonOz and 1 other 4 Quote Driver : Sub70 839D 3 wood Sub 70 pro Hybrid Sub 70 849 18* Hybrid Sub 70 839 21* Irons Sub 70 639 combo Wedges Sub 70 659 approach 50*, 286 full face groove 54* Putter FGP Ball Titleist AVX Grips: Best Grips std leather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveGH7 Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Our league does it depending on course. Most tournaments there are no gimme putts, but on one particular course they allow it because of the pace of play issues there. Personally I think they should be limited to "tap-ins", and not the one to two footers that are sometimes considered gimmes. I also think there shouldn't be gimmes if putting for par or better. Shapotomous 1 Quote Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Max D (MCA Tensei AV Series Blue 55 Graphite) Woods: Taylormade Qi10 Max 3 wood and 7 wood (Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 50), TaylorMade Stealth 2 HD 5 Wood (Fujikura Speeder NX Red Regular) Hybrid: Cleveland Halo XL 4 Hybrid (Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue 65 HYBRID) Irons: Callaway Apex 21 DCB (Project X IO Steel R), Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face 2 50, Cleveland RTX Full-face 2 54, Callaway Jaws Full Face 58 Putter: Cleveland HB Soft #8P (UST All-In) Ball: Srixon Q Star Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_BEN Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 If it is a friendly round with friends, anything inside 2’ can be and is often given, although there is certainly gamesmanship at play when a 2 footer has to be “seen” . If there is any amount of money or a wager at stake, then there are no gimmes and everything must be finished out. LebanonOz, BKervin and Shapotomous 2 1 Quote WITB: D: GT-2 10° w/ GD Tour AD-UB 6s 3W: GT-3 15 Tensei Black 75 X 3h: G430 18° Tour 2.0/Stiff 7W: 21° Rogue ST Max LinQ 7X 4i: Pro 225 with Project X io 6.0 6i-PW: Pro 225 with Recoil 110 f4 50,54° & 58°: SM-10 P: Link.1 Ball: Pro Plus Drip Bag: Ghost MGS Anyday 14 way "And so, we beat on, boats against the current, borne ceaselessly into the past." - Fitzgerald ” The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” - Frost "That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." - Whitman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flipper Hirt Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 I never give putts in a regular round, especially if money is on the line. I putt everything out, even a 4” tap-in. Match play is different, but still tough to do. (Usually leave it to my partner). The fact golfers take so many putts leads to slow play in tournaments when they have to putt out CudaKota66 and Hacker Milt 1 1 Quote Alterum Ictum Faciam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillybobT Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 One of the best things that ever happened to me was playing in a league when I was stationed at a Navy base in Florida. Every Saturday morning we held a group outing, usually around 130 of us, playing a modified Stableford system. What was understood throughout the league was that there NO GIMME PUTTS! Every hole had to be holed out. And this was back in the day when the flag couldn't be in the hole. It was part of the best time in my golf life. Gimme is okay for friendly rounds, but if you're playing for something (even if it's almost nothing), I don't like it. BKervin 1 Quote Callaway Rogue ST MAX 10.5 Takomo 101 Irons all 4 Tokomo SkyForger wedges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhounds15 Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 How league allows gimmes on short puts which I have no problem with. Quote Stephen Wolf Driver TaylorMade QI 10 Max 12.0 Mitsubishi Diamani S+ (Gen5) 60 3 Wood TaylorMade Qi10 Fairway HL Fujikura Speeder NX TCS 5 Wood TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fujikura Air Speeder NX 50 shaft 7Wood TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fujiura Air Speeder NX 50 shaft 9 Wood QI 10 Fujikura Ventus TR Blue shaft Hybrid 5 TaylorMade Stealth Fujikura Air Speeder 50 Shaft Qi Irons 6, 7, 8, 9 Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shafts TaylorMade Milled grind 4 wedge 48 and 52 Fujikura Ventus TR Blue shafts 56- 60 Wedges TaylorMade Custom Milled Grind 4 Black Wedge Fujikura air speeder 50 shafts Putter TaylorMade Spider EX Navy Single Bend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threeputtgame Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 For me the giving of gimme putts depends on the situation and with whom I’m playing. If I’m playing with my normal group for practice or fun, a gimme is okay. Yet, if I’m playing a serious round, tournament, or for money the putt has to be really short for me to give or take a gimme. Shapotomous 1 Quote Enjoying the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKervin Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 I like to putt it out! However, when you are on a busy not competitive course I have no problem with the gimme but also find I still sit and wait at the next hole to tee off. Not sure what is accomplished with a gimme- unless your group is the cause for the slow down. Could be because my putting is one of my best strengths too. silver & black, CudaKota66, AndySP and 2 others 4 1 Quote B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillybobT Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 To anyone that advocates a gimme putt for the sake of speed of play, BULLSHIT! The few seconds it may take to line up a putt like that will not speed up play, even in a casual round on most any golf course. There are some professional players out there that can get pretty ridiculous, but for the most part, most players are reasonable. Those that aren't are only trying to piss you off. CudaKota66 and dobrycki 1 1 Quote Callaway Rogue ST MAX 10.5 Takomo 101 Irons all 4 Tokomo SkyForger wedges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_KFT Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 I think it just depends on the situation and who you are playing with. In the Tuesday scramble league I am in, we will give the other group gimme putts after the first few holes so we know what kind of putters they are. But anything outside 2 feet is putted out. When I’m playing casually with friends, I putt out even if they offer up a gimme because I’m working towards consistently scoring under 100 and hopefully breaking 90 this summer, and I want all the strokes to be meaningful. I’ve had buddies offer up gimmes that are questionable and I just putt it out. I’ll give them to friends within reason as well. It doesn’t matter too much to me as their score doesn’t impact me at all. Shapotomous and BKervin 2 Quote Driver: GT3 9|Tour AD-UB 6S (testing in progress) Fairways: GT2 15 & 18|Tour AD-UB 7S (testing in progress) | Aerojet Max 7|Kai'Li White 70X Hybrid: King TEC 3H|MCA MMT 85g Stiff Irons: Aerojet 6-GW|KBS $-taper Lite Stiff Wedges: Vokey SM10 52.12F|56.12D|True Temper Vokey Wedge Flex Putter: Super Select Newport 2.0 Ball: Tour & ProV1 #LeftyGang Titleist GT Long Game Test (Link Here) Cobra 50th Anniversary Member Special Challenge (link here) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylorJudd Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Everyone pays to play the way they want. Can't tell a person how to enjoy their hard earned money. It's another ball that may be out of your line of they take them! BKervin and tony@CIC 2 Quote I like golf. You should like golf. If life is tough, play more golf! Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 10.5, Graphite Design Tour AD-MJ 6x Titleist TSr3 18 Degree, Graphite Design Tour Ad-DI 7x Takomo 301CB's, KBS Tours 120S Vokey SM8 48 10F, 52 08F, 56 08M, 60 08M Odyssey O-Works Jailbird Mini, Versa Scheme, 17" Fatso 3.0 Grip, 40" Jazz Tacoma Cart Bag Titleist Pro V1x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Mitchell Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Only 2 kinds of warships, Submarines and targets. BKervin and CudaKota66 2 Quote Ping 430 Max H/L 10 Degree Geezer Flex Ping 425 7 wood Geezer Flex Ping 425 5H [Not in bag] TM DHY 4/5 Titlist 5-Gap T300's Geezer Flex Wedges Cleveland RTX Fullface Zipcore 52 degree and TM Hi Toe 4 56 degree Putter Scotty Cameron Golo S Center Shafted Ball Bridgestone BXS , Trying The Maxfli Tour S also Bag Titlist 15 Cart Bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkyjudge Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 My rule is that putts need to be holed, as long as there is money or league points on the line. All of the leagues that I play in specify that birdies (and the rare eagle opportunities) must be putted out, and it is up to the golfers whether they accept par gimmes or putt out. BKervin and Shapotomous 2 Quote DR - Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max, Newton Motion 4-Dot shaft 4W - Titleist TSR2, Newton Motion 4-Dot FW shaft HYB - Sub 70 949X 21*, original HZRDUS Black 85-S shaft 7W (if played) - Titleist TSR, ACCRA TZ6 7S Irons - Cobra King Forged Tec X, KBS TGI graphite shafts Wedges - Edison 2.0, 47* (bent to 48*), 53* and 57* (bent to 58*), KBS TGI 100 Tour S Putter - Evnroll ER10 ""Outback” Mallet Ball - Maxfli Tour-X CG (2023) or Vice Pro Plus Bags - Vessel / Ghost stand bags Cart - MotoCaddy M7 Remote (without the remote) Spoiler Lots of short game practice has made this a strength; now the driver is causing problems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shapotomous Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 In our league play i usually putt everything out even if its been given unless its a tap in and i would be standing in somebodys line. I will give putts early in the round and then make them putt out on the last few holes. Some players tend to tighten up on a 2'er if its a tight match. Its all part of the gamesmanship. Pros do the same thing in ryder cup play. No gimmees on Birdie putts though since the league tracks them and pays out for the most over the year. BKervin and funkyjudge 2 Quote Modern Bag: G410 LST 10.5*, Hzrdus Smoke RDX 6.5 Flex; 915F 3w, Diamana S+ 70 S flex; Mavrik 18* 5w; JPX 919 HM Pro 4i; JPX 900 Forged 5 - PW, PX LZ 6.0; Edison 2.0 49*, 53*, 57* KBS Tour 120 S; Heppler Fetch; Ball - MTB-X; Bag - Jones MyGolfSpy Edition! Shot Scope H4, MG600 Rangefinder Classic Bag: Driver - Persimmon; 3w - Speed Slot; 5w - Tour Block; 3 - pw - Dynapower; sw - Ram Tom Watson; putter - bullseye standard or flange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySP Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 I don’t play in a league or for money but I like putting everything out. I wanna hear the sound of holing out. If someone tells me “that’s good” I just putt anyway, never caused any tension that I can remember. Shapotomous, WrightSounds and BKervin 3 Quote g430 lst TS2 20* hybrid, New Level PF-2: P-7; 902: 6-5 hi-toe 51* and 57* M Craft IV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swood1994 Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 The league I play in has some guys that don’t give anything and others that give (and take) 2-3 footers maybe more. I usually will give around a putter grip length so about a 1ft maybe a little longer if I like the guy. last year we were playing the last night of the year to determine the winner of the entire thing and me and my partner talked to the other team and said to avoid any issues let’s agree to putt everything out. Made a huge difference as some of the 1-2 footers were missed in our favor so we ended up winning the league Shapotomous and funkyjudge 2 Quote Current WITB: Driver: Paradym 10.5 Ventus Black 6S (currently Testing AI Smoke) Fairway: ST-Z 230 3-Wood (15°) HZRDUS Smoke Black 6.0 60 Official Test Hybrid: ST-Z 230 Hybrid (19°) Ventus Blue HB-8 Official Test Irons: MP-18 MMC (4-9) Wedges: Vokey SM8 (46.10F, 50.12F, 54.14F, 58.12D) Putter: Select Squareback 2 34.5 Ping Corded 88G PP58 grip double taped Ball: Pro-V1 Reviews: 2023 Red Rooster Sussex Glove Official Forum Test 2023 Mizuno Long Game Official Forum Test 2024 Skytrak+ Official Forum Test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixyurdivot Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 My .02 cents on this is that gimmie putts inside a foot are fine for casual play and will not skew final scores. I also think it does help speed up play a bit and that's never a bad thing at most courses during peak seasons. My Monday group and of course men's league putts everything out. My Thursday and Saturday group uses gimmies and especially om some of the team games where the players putt/score cannot improve the team score. CudaKota66 1 Quote G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w ZX5 Irons 4-AW Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW (removed from double secret probation ) ER5v Putter (Official Review) AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Official Review) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony@CIC Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 In our friendly group play - gimmes are always given, I'll take it but announce I want to hit a practice putt anyway. In our more formal league - no gimmes, you have to putt everything out. fixyurdivot and CudaKota66 2 Quote Left Hand orientation SIM 2 D Max with Fujikura Air Speeder Shaft Cobra Radspeed 3W/RIptide Shaft 410 Hybrids 22*, 26* Cobra Speed Zone 6-GP/Recoil ESX 460 F3 Shafts SM7 54* Wedge Glide 3.0 60* Wedge O Works putter V3 NX9-HD - 4 Wheel EZGO TXT 48v cart - too many shoes to list and so many to buy And BAG Boy Golf Balls: Vice Pro Plus 2020 Official Tester Beginning Driver Speed - 78 2019 Official Tester 410 Driver 2018 Official Tester C300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKervin Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 CudaKota66 and LebanonOz 1 1 Quote B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CudaKota66 Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 I won't accept given putts. Period. I will pick-up when ESC rules come-into-play & head to the next tee. You golf as you please & I'll golf as I please. Quote Epic Flash King F8 3W Epic Flash Max 7W G425 4i-PW CBX2 50/54/58 Inovai 6.0 Tour Response or Triad (both thanks to MGS testing) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnosil Posted May 28, 2023 Share Posted May 28, 2023 37 minutes ago, CudaKota66 said: I won't accept given putts. Period. I will pick-up when ESC rules come-into-play & head to the next tee. You golf as you please & I'll golf as I please. Unless you are playing match play under the rules of golf. If your opponent concedes the hole, the hole is complete. A concession, once offered, may be neither withdrawn nor declined. CudaKota66 1 Quote Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: Paradym AI Smoke Max HL 16.5* w/MCA TENSEI AV Series Blue Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Render w/VA Composites Baddazz Backup Putters: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe, Milled Collection RSX 2 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy_APH Posted May 29, 2023 Share Posted May 29, 2023 Does skill level ever come into play when you are allowing gimmes? Quote as of Nov 6, 2023 (Past WITB) Driver: Paradym TD w/ GD ADDI 6X Driver Shootout! Wood: F7 3 wood 14.5* w/ Motore F1 Shaft Irons: T Series - T200 5 Iron T150 6-9 Iron T100 PW/GW Wedge: Toura Golf - A Spec 53,37,61 degree Putter: Mezz Max! Balls: Vice Pro Plus Drip (Blue/Orange) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevenhp Posted May 29, 2023 Share Posted May 29, 2023 I like to hole everything out. I get a little annoyed when after a long putt they decide if it’s a gimme. I always thought the standard length was the club grip, but with the newer grips and longer putters that’s not the case. I insist on holing out birdie and par putts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TappityTapTap Posted May 29, 2023 Share Posted May 29, 2023 I play with some people who don't mark their ball even when it's a couple feet from the hole and in my line. So I have no problem giving them the putt as much as I do them picking up the ball and sticking a tee in the ground to mark it and still blocking the line. Quote Callaway epic speed Callaway os iron talormade 3 hybrid cleveland rtx 3 wedges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR1PTIK Posted May 29, 2023 Share Posted May 29, 2023 On 5/27/2023 at 10:43 AM, MJ McNamara said: Question. Are gimme putts good for the game or are they bad for your golf game. I’ve played with lots of players that love giving gimme putts because they want them returned in kind. I don’t like this, Ive upset players by saying, no sorry I’ll putt it out. My reasoning for this is when I really need to make a putt in say a tourney stroke play or a match play event then I can draw on the fact that I’m comfortable making them. For myself, gimme putts are in play to help speed up the game of golf. What length do people feel is a gimme putt? Some say within the shaft and up to the bottom of the putter grip is a gimme, I say when it’s sitting on the edge of the cup. I recently saw an Instagram post (from the USGA) concerning this that you should store in your memory banks somewhere. Once a putt is conceded, it cannot be taken back. It's in the rules of golf (Rule 23.3-c1 if I looked it up correctly). So, if your buddy concedes a putt, you can still putt the ball if you choose. Granted, the rule is meant for match play but given how loose most groups are with the rules anyway I don't see much difference here. Now, if the problem is your playing partner just hits the ball back to you, you still have the right to return the ball to its spot and stroke a putt if it's that important to you or, simply tell them not to touch your ball. I've never had an issue with anyone when I've told them I'd like to putt out. Quote Driver: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S Fairway Wood: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S Hybrid: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB Irons: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Wedges: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200 Putter: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34" Bag: Players 5 Stand Bag Ball: Maxfli Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golffun Posted May 29, 2023 Share Posted May 29, 2023 Gimmes are necessary to keep friends. personally, don't like them because there's no standard. Is it 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet or based on possible score... Spreads into competition, which doesn't protect the field. When you play with people that do gimmes, they usually don't follow the rules of golf in other areas. If you were to relate it to another sport, such as basketball. then missing a layup, should be rewarded with a point. sounds dumb, but that's effectively what gimmes do to the great game of golf. People see it in match play and then assume it applies to stroke play as well. BKervin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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