In concept, the gimme putt is supposed to be emblematic of golf’s “gentlemen’s game” mantra. Often it’s anything but, as evidenced at the U.S. Girls’ Junior. Many observers cried foul after Elizabeth Moon, who just missed a six-footer to win the match, raked away her ball inches from the cup, only for opponent Erica Shepherd to assert she had not given Moon the putt. If that didn’t qualify as a gimme, what does?
And that’s the issue: the etiquette around conceded putts remains unwritten. Until now, that is. To avoid any future tears or fisticuffs, here are the do’s and don’ts of gimmes.