Gimme : what would you have said?

[triple-bogey]

I was out with my 13 year old son last week at a local course. Before we tee'd-off, we were told that we would be paired with two other golfers. Fair enough, no big deal. Introductions were made and off we went.

At the 3rd hole, I chipped to about one foot of the flag. I turn to my bag to put away my wedge and take my putter out. As I am getting on the green, one of the two golfers we were paired with picks up my ball next to the hole and throws it to me and says ''that's a gimme''.

I thought to myself ''WTF?????''. Although I probably would have holed it, I always finish my putts, and never play with ''gimme's''. Furthermore, the idea that this stranger would be so bold was quite striking to me. Now he was quite older (I would estimate in his mid to late 70s) so I didn't want to raise a stink, especially in front of my son. But I was wondering if something like that has ever happened to you? How did you (or how would you have) react?

[jvincent]

If I am paired with somebody that chips it that close I will ask if they want the gimme or not since I know that many people like to hole out.

I don't mind if someone does that in a casual round. If you want to hole them out just let them know politely that you prefer to hole out.

[dbleber]

Take the gimmie and move on, its not a tour event. It's pretty common practice, but if it really bothers you just politely say, thanks but next time I would like to putt out. Good on you for not making a big deal out of it, I'm sure the gentlemen was just trying to speed up play.

[triple-bogey]

If I am paired with somebody that chips it that close I will ask if they want the gimme or not since I know that many people like to hole out.

I don't mind if someone does that in a casual round. If you want to hole them out just let them know politely that you prefer to hole out.

I thought to myself ''Let it slide this time, and next time I'll just tell him that I want to hole out''. Unfortunately, the rest of my game was in the sh*tter , so the issue did not come up again.

[jonf]

I wouldn't make a deal of it. Thank him, take the gimme, and then politely let him know that next time you'd like to hole out.

[adam]

In my mind I would have blamed that gimmie for the rest of my bad round :p

[atomic]

As long as it is inside 35 feet...yup that's a gimme.

[triple-bogey]

In my mind I would have blamed that gimmie for the rest of my bad round :p

Of course! The gimme....and the fact that I suck at golf

[Timbuktu]

I find that Gimmie's speed up play...it all evens itself out in the end.

[holeinone]

best part of golf is the sound of the ball going into the cup...i never take gimmies for that reason.

[nokids]

i would have placed the ball right back where it lied, read the green from both sides, taken 2 practice swings, made the putt, and told this guy not to touch my ball again.

or maybe i'd just take the gimme.

[Slicer&Dicer]

There are no gimmies in golf.

When this happens, I tell the person, thanks but I always finish the hole.

Taking gimmes doesn't speed up the game it just avoids any embarrassment of missing short putts and gives you a false sense about your game.

[Kilroy]

Thank him, take the gimme, and then politely let him know that next time you'd like to hole out.

Agreed.

Gimmies IMHO do not belong in the game at all. That includes match play. Just my opinion - see my sig.

[nokids]

see my sig.

see my 1.5 foot miss for birdie at Eagle Creek yesterday.

[triple-bogey]

best part of golf is the sound of the ball going into the cup...i never take gimmies for that reason.

Agreed...one of many sounds that make life worth living: sound of ball going into cup, sound of beer bottle opening, sound of steak sizzling on grill...

[Husband]

At the end of the day, it's just a game. I agree with what jonf said.

[he4dhuntr]

Agreed...one of many sounds that make life worth living: sound of ball going into cup, sound of beer bottle opening, sound of steak sizzling on grill...

A real man! But I agree with all of those, and would probably add the sound of a snowboarding carving through snow, and the sound of ice and fizz when you poor a coke.

As for the gimmie, I'd agree with taking it and politely stating that you'd like to hole out next time. I think you did the right thing. No use in starting a fuss and ruining your day over it.

Cheers,

[mikelaurin]

a one foot putt thanks