What is a Gimme in Golf? Meaning, Rules, Scoring, and Explained

A gimme in golf is one of the most common informal practices on the course. It is a short putt that playing partners agree you do not need to hit because it is considered virtually unmissable. Someone says “that’s good” or “pick it up,” you lift the ball, and the stroke is treated as made. The word itself is a casual contraction of “give me,” as in “give me that one.”

This article covers the full picture: gimme meaning in golf, what a gimme putt actually is, whether a gimme counts as a stroke, official rules differences between match play and stroke play, common distance guidelines, etiquette, and even how the term appears in crossword puzzles. You will also find related long-tail questions answered so you know exactly when and how to use (or refuse) a gimme.

Table of Contents

Gimme Meaning in Golf

In simple terms, a gimme is a concession of a short putt. The other players in your group decide the remaining distance is so short that missing is extremely unlikely, so they grant the putt without requiring you to stroke it. You pick up the ball and move on. It is primarily a time-saving and sportsmanship convention used in casual rounds and friendly matches.

The practice is deeply rooted in golf culture. It keeps the pace of play reasonable on busy weekends and reduces unnecessary tension over two- or three-foot putts that almost never miss under normal conditions. However, it remains informal outside of specific formats governed by the Rules of Golf.

What Is a Gimme in Golf Putt?

A gimme putt is almost always a very short putt left after an approach or longer putt has left the ball close to the hole. Typical distances range from a few inches up to roughly the length of a putter grip (often called “inside the leather”). There is no official measurement in the Rules of Golf because gimmes themselves are not a formal rule in stroke play. Groups decide their own standard before the round begins.

Common informal standards include:

Inside the leather (grip length of the putter, roughly 12–24 inches depending on how it is measured).
A full putter length (around 33–35 inches for many men’s putters).
Simple visual judgment: “if it’s inside the leather, it’s good.”

Agree on the distance with your group before teeing off to avoid later disagreements. What one group considers a clear gimme, another may insist on putting out.

Does a Gimme in Golf Count as a Stroke? Do You Count a Gimme in Golf?

Yes—a gimme counts as a stroke. When the putt is conceded, you add one stroke to the number of strokes already played on that hole and record the ball as holed. For example, if you reached the green in two and your short putt is given, your score for the hole is 3. You do not skip the stroke or record a lower number.

This is true both in casual play (where the group agrees) and in official match-play concessions. In stroke play, however, you are not supposed to take gimmes at all if the round is for a competition or handicap purposes. If you pick up without holing out, you have not completed the hole under the rules.

Under the World Handicap System, if you do not hole out for a valid reason, you may record a “most likely score.” A true short gimme typically adds just one stroke. Longer putts that you pick up can require a more realistic estimate (often two strokes if the putt is outside a few feet).

Official Rules: When Are Gimmes Allowed?

The Rules of Golf distinguish clearly between formats:

Match play: Concessions are fully legal and common. Under Rule 3.2b, a player may concede the opponent’s next stroke, a hole, or the entire match at any time. Once given, the concession cannot be declined or withdrawn. Short putts are routinely conceded to speed play and show sportsmanship.
Stroke play (including most tournaments and handicap rounds): Gimmes are not allowed. Rule 3.3c requires you to hole out on every hole. Picking up a short putt without completing the hole can lead to disqualification if not corrected before teeing off on the next hole (or before returning the scorecard on the final hole). Writing a lower score than actually made is also a serious rules breach.

In formats such as Stableford or Maximum Score, failing to hole out is handled differently (you may receive zero points or a maximum score on the hole), but pure stroke play requires every ball to finish in the hole.

Professional events follow the same logic. You will see concessions in match-play events such as the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, but never in major stroke-play championships.

Etiquette and Best Practices

A gimme must be given—it cannot be taken. Never assume a putt is good and pick it up yourself. Wait for a clear verbal concession (“That’s good,” “Pick it up”) or an unmistakable gesture. Giving a gimme promptly after the ball stops is considered good manners; making someone stand over a two-footer while you decide is poor form.

Other useful guidelines:

Be consistent within the group.
Avoid giving long putts that a player might realistically miss, especially if scores matter.
In mixed formats (friendly match with side scorecards), decide in advance whether gimmes are in effect for the cards.
Never give yourself a gimme.

For more on how scoring and handicaps interact with incomplete holes, see related guidance on golf handicap calculation and posting scores.

Golf Gimme Crossword Clue

Crossword puzzles frequently use the clue “Golf gimme” or similar. A common short answer is TAPIN (or “tap-in”), reflecting the idea of a short putt that is essentially conceded or easily made. Other related fills sometimes appear depending on the grid, but TAPIN is a frequent solution for the concept of a gimme putt.