Gimmes Late in a Match

Canadan

LGND
Albatross 2025 Club
Staff member
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
159,115
Reaction score
129,726
Location
Midwest
Handicap
**
Since this was a debate during the Experience we just had with Srixon, I thought it'd be fun to hear perspective on gimmes.

If you're in a match and you're down or even with a couple to go, does your window for gimmes get smaller, or not change?

On top of that, do you like or dislike gimmes in matches?
 
Window gets smaller and I don’t mind gimmes in matches.
 
I've never been in the situation so I can only speak in hypotheticals, but I imagine I would want a winning putt to be holed. Outside of that, I think I'd be largely fine with gimmies.

We'll learn how I truly feel come December.
 
It definitely gets tighter as the round goes on. It’s also wider in a putt to halve the hole vs one to win it. I might want to see that 3 ft putt to beat me, especially if you are getting a pop, vs just giving it to you for the win.
 
Definitely gets smaller as it should IMO. I’d expect nothing less from my competitor unless they have given up.
 
@outlawx and I didnt give @Luke WilliamsCG a putt from 5ish feet to close us out. He was never missing it but I don’t feel bad having him put it out.
 
I would like to say that nothing changes. That if it were a gimme on the first, it would be a gimme on the 18th.

In reality, if I think you have a chance of missing it, there is a better chance I don't offer that gimme.
I neither like nor dislike gimmes. I would rather in a match to play assuming we both putt everything out. It eliminates expectations of a gimme.
Does it suck for pace though? Yes.
 
I must admit I’m a bit stingy with gimmes, but at the same time I never expect them from anyone.
 
It tends to shrink late in a match. But still keep it reasonable.
 
I know some good match players look at gimmes as a tactical decision. I really don’t want to win a hole because my opponent gagged on a 2 1/2 foot putt. I give short putts more than I probably should for that reason. The only time I make an opponent putt short ones is when he has rubbed me the wrong way early in the match.
 
I make people putt more often when the match gets tight. I actually like to give gimmies early just so my opponent doesn’t get to see a putt drop.
 
Window gets smaller and it’s smaller if it’s to win a hole. Ties are the largest area.

Window gets a lot smaller regardless of spot in the match, if the same putts aren’t reciprocated early.
 
Window gets smaller and it’s smaller if it’s to win a hole. Ties are the largest area.

Window gets a lot smaller regardless of spot in the match, if the same putts aren’t reciprocated early.
The part of what happens early in the match is key. Don’t expect a 4 foot swinger when you make me putt a flat 3 footer.
 
Window has to get smaller and I don’t mind gimmies.
 
Don’t mind gimmes at all. Will get a little tighter as the match goes on and is close, but will still try to be reasonable.
 
Dislike the gimme, idea ( theoretically it’s good ) in its implementation , as it is subject to interpretation…it becomes ,,,
How long is a rubber band?

Without shadow of doubt , finish the hole that what your score is ,, it’s black and white .
 
I usually pawn off the gimme calls on my partner. I don’t know what I should or shouldn’t give. The explanation I got for determining what’s good is would I feel wrong to win by a missed putt of that length/difficulty. I kinda like that benchmark throughout the round and it’s what I’ll be using in the future. I don’t mind gimmes in match play and definitely don’t mind them in THP experiences.
 
I definitely think matches shouldn’t cordial. But asking to see a put that is on the edge should be expected by both sides. But let’s stay friendly.

Gimme’s should absolutely be a thing.. maybe even more important at THP events. Don’t be that guy.
 
Don't be a sore loser. Gimmie is a gimmie. Don't make em tap in if youre down. Shouldn't give questionable ones to begin with.
 
Not all 2-3 footers and matches are the same and it depends on what the outcome of the match really means.

In a friendly against a regular playing partner, what is a gimme early is a gimme late. Winning bragging rights must remain friendly as we were out there to have fun.

If the match means earning a point for your team or moving on in a tourney, I expect to putt 2-3 footers even if they seem like easy ones.

I have no issues with gimmes in match play.
 
Last edited:
Since this was a debate during the Experience we just had with Srixon, I thought it'd be fun to hear perspective on gimmes.

If you're in a match and you're down or even with a couple to go, does your window for gimmes get smaller, or not change?

On top of that, do you like or dislike gimmes in matches?
I like gimmes in matches. I do believe that they should get less generous late in matches, especially when a team is counting on you for a point.
 
Unless i’m down by a large amount, the answer is no, I dont want a THPer to lose by missing a short one.
 
The longer the match and the closer it is, I want to see the putt. I am more generous by far early in a match, for strategic reasons.
 
I think it's natural for the gimme range to shrink a bit later in matches and I like gimmes, it keeps the pace up.
 
Back
Top