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Andy (fingers c...
Handicap: 13
Essex
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 63
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Hi folks, the horrible subject of giving putts in social golf.
Personally, I consider myself to be a very solid putter of a golf ball, but every once in a while I miss a 2 foot putt or even less !
the majority of the time on the course i get given putts of this distance and I walk off the green sure in the knowledge I would have made the putt anyway. But would I though, and this is my point, as I said once in a while I miss them and so would everyone else, (even pro's miss them sometimes).
So what distance should we give a putt to a playing partner on the social golfer without being frowned at, as some people do moan when made to sink that 18-24 inch putt? I say either inside 12 inches or we make every putt personally, and that is only to keep play moving, without giving the 2 foot plus putts to all of us who will miss one or 2 of them.
Our handicaps are based on how we score on the course, so I wondered what others think. I know some that think ever putt should be holed out, and others that think all 2 footers are given.
so what do we think?
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'JB' John Barbe...
Handicap: 15
Bedfordshire
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 275
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Yes Andy, it is a tricky subject. The purists will tell you that all putts must be made, those who perhaps should know better will tell you 'around' 2 foot is okay.
I think it comes down to personal views every time, as this is a social golfing 'club'. If a hard and fast rule is instigated, there will be a group that never want to follow it and those that abide by it every time will consider that those not following the rule don't have correct handicaps. If we all wanted strict handicaps, it is simple - no gimme's - but it's back to what this site is all about SOCIAL golf.
My view is to follow whoever I am playing with, if they want to give me a two foot putt, that is their prerogative, and it is mine to putt out so I have peace of mind in knowing I actually did it. I would also say that my handicap on TSG is for use on the games I play here. If I play a club match, I use my club handicap which is 95 times out of 100, decided on stroke play, no gimme's.
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Roger Akerman
Handicap: 13
East Sussex
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 118
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I played with a guy recently who was measuring gimies by the lenght of his putter so he was gimies put around 34"-36" i am afraid I told him that i would not accept gimmies of that lenght and he got a bit upset and said him and his mate always measured gimmie by the lenght of his putter.
I Have always measured gimies by the lenght of a putter gripwhich is around 12"-15" any thing longer that that has to be putted out, I agree with andy its two easy to miss 2 footers
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Steve Rawlinson
Handicap: 36
North London
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 91
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Unless you're playing in a competition, or there's proper money at stake, I don't think it matters very much. I'll happily award a gimme within 2 feet unless there's something riding on it (like a birdie).
In most social games I play I'm the worst golfer there by some margin and the only person recording my score is me. Keeping up with play is much more important that whether I would actually have made the putt.
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Alan Haywood
Handicap: 21
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 132
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I agree with John and Steve regarding gimme's. I am notorious at missing 3 footers...2 even, and am happy to accept a gimmee, especially when I am having a poor round, which is most times these days.
The reality is, that if you really want to take the game seriously, then ignore the gimmee being offered and putt out...otherwise who cares, unless there's something on it as Steve and John point out. If people accept 3 foot gimme's to maintain a low handicap... then they are doing themselves a mischief as they won't be able to play to it in any comp.... standing over a nasty little 3 footer will probably paralyse them.
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Steve Rawlinson
Handicap: 36
North London
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 91
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I'd love to have one of your 'poor' rounds Alan!
Since gimmes can only lower your handicap, not increase it, and since a lower handicap is a disadvantage, I don't think there's any problem offering and accepting gimmes in social golf. I will always take a gimme that's offered in order to save time but I have no problem at all with somebody deciding to decline my offer and putt out.
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Brigitte Lockwo...
Handicap: 30
Middlesex
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 574
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 One will only become a "confident" putter by practicing & putting those shorts putts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Andy C
Handicap: 16
Essex
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 95
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Do i take them = YES, all day long
Do i give them = YES, why?... Bacause the guy/gal gave me mine 
IMO
Although we have all taken them and walked off the course with a nice 40 points and our best round in months, did we really do that well? As Andy rightly posted, pros miss them and i know i do at times just like every golfer.
So i am sitting in the bar with an 80 shot card and 40 points but Fred has given me 2 foot putts on 8 holes at worst, thats already a possible 88 and possible 32 points depending on the holes in question, thats a huge difference and shows no real truth to my scorecard.
Really everyhting should be putted out regardles if its social, prize fund or compertition if stroke play or stableford formats are being use. Within match play i truly believe gimmes to be a massive part of the tactical side of the game or game play (Thats a debate alone)
Lets be fair this would never happen as i know if i told some that they had to put everying from every distance would soon end up in harsh words being part exchanged.
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Alan Haywood
Handicap: 21
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 132
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Brigitte Lockwood wrote: One will only become a "confident" putter by practicing & putting those shorts putts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely right Brigitte....from this point on, I shall do just that!! ....unless of course I am having a brilliant round, and those two footers begin to feel more like 8. ;-)
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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Excellent comments from everyone - and they all count.
Practice the putts on the putting green.
Take any gimmie.
After a gimmie - if not holding anyone up - hole out. There is nothing like the sound of the ball dropping in the cup. Ringtone anyone?
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,955
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I think the logic is with Brigitte. Quite a few people saying they miss them but they always take them if offered ! I also sometimes miss them but find that the more I practice them, the luckier I get. I also think if it is offered, then it is up to you, but, you should not ask. My motto is - if you need to ask, you already know the answer.
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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Agree with Brian. Never ask for a gimmie. It's an unwritten rule.
However - gimmies are not only based on sportsmanship, common sense and keeping the game moving etc. - but also may be pertinent to a match play situation - i.e. easy example - if you are playing off scratch and your opponent is on the green for 3 and 2 foot from the pin and you are on the green for 6 - you have lost the hole. People are behind you. Move on.....but there is still nothing better than the sound of that ball falling into the hole :-)
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Andy (fingers c...
Handicap: 13
Essex
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 63
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Me again, I understand the argument of not wanting to hold up play, except I am not sure it does really. If it is such an easy putt, surely it only takes 5-10 seconds to knock it in and another 2 or 3 to pick it out of the hole, and avoids criticisms where in a society day, some groups having more gimme's than others, and 2 feet becomes more like 3.
I just don't like or want arguments on the golf course over rulings to get in the way of a day out on the golf course, as people 'perceptions' can be the cause. You were given the putt on the last hole and mine wasn't much different, he gets dimme's and I don't. I just want to enjoy hitting golf balls and have a friendly day out
and Judy, I think I see a theme here, by any chance do you like the sound made by the ball hitting the bottom of the cup by any chance? :-)
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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Oh go on - you know you want to hear it again so let's make it a hat trick. There is nothing like the sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup :-) Play the putting skills game on line and you can hear it again and again!
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Steve Rawlinson
Handicap: 36
North London
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 91
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I don't know how much you've played recently Judy but I haven't heard a ball actually make it to the bottom of the cup for a few weeks. Instead there's a sort of muted 'plop'.
I'll take the gimme and keep my hand dry.
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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Not played much and not playing at all well as you will see by my scores, so taking longer to hear that sound.
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Steve 'The Powe...
Handicap: 21
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 288
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I'm a fine one one to talk... I do enjoy putting every green to a conclusion (especially the 18th) and have been known to miss the odd 2 foor putt myself..But then again I make the occasional long putt to balance out.
I work off a couple of principles - matchplay if I'm not going to win the hole and the other person has 3 putts to win I will usually see 1 or 2, if it's close after the first and there isn't much chance that the tiddler will be missed, I tend to offer gimmees for the first 14/5 holes (sneakily ensuring that my opponent gets no real practice for short putts... which might just give me an edge on 16/17/18 if I ask them to putt out a short one for the first time in the match).
Strokeplay and Social golf, a coupleof scenarios... if the guy is puitting well and 3 foot is unlikely to be missed and we can speed up a bit then I will offer the gimmmee... if the opopnent isn't having a good day and hs just three-putted to leave another 4 foot putt... I can be sensitive and offer the gimmee...
My last occasion out, I was suffering a little and to bend down that extra few inches to retriev the ball from the cup would have been difficult I asked if I could be allowed gimmees (sensible distances of course) so that I wouldn't suffer too much (looking for sympathy here of course). Still played OK and didn't need more than a couple of gimmees...
Bottom line, if it's social - agree beforehand and once the standard is set try to apply consistently...
My choice would always be to putt out... but if gimmees are offered it would be impolite not to accept (as long as it was within the set standard for the day/course).
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Russell Middlet...
Handicap: 36
Essex
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 387
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There are many factors to take into account here.
If it's a competition then no gimmes!
The only exception is when playing Stableford, if you are not scoring then you either pick up your ball, or you can carry on with the putt. This all depends on how fast you are playing or how close the group behind you are.
If you are playing a social game then it's up to each individual if they want to give a gimme to your playing partner.
You may know that your partner isn't very good at downhill sloping putts. He's is 18 inches away from the hole, would you give it?
Now the difference is the same person has now got a three foot straight putt. Do you give him that one?
The other thing is what happens if another person in your group gives the putt, but you didn't want to give it?
I've been in games where the person receiving the putt has been like lightning picking his ball up!
Russ
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Ian Mullins
Handicap: 20
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 378
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As a general rule, I am happy to give anyone a Putt that's within a Putter handle..... unless it's MatchPlay or I am playing against Alan Haywood....
Then you have to Putt out!
;-)
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Alan Haywood
Handicap: 21
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 132
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Aaaaaaaah! now everybody knows!
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Judy Lilley
Handicap: 20
Kent
Pro Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 244
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reiterating Russell's comment "If you are playing a social game then it's up to each individual if they want to give a gimme to your playing partner" - as long as the group are still keeping up with the group in front and not holding the group behind.............
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Alan Smith
Handicap: 11
Scotland
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I always give a gimme or two at the start of the round and see how it develops. It can be sometime a longer put depending how the other player is playing. This can work a treat later in the round when they have not putted a 4 footer for say ten holes. It also depends how my game is and if I am up.
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