The art of the conceded putt

If you were watching the President’s Cup matches on the big screen last weekend, you would have seen a few examples of the psychology around the conceding of short putts.

It’s one of the most intriguing yet gnarly aspects of golf in its match play form.

The media was quick to point out Justin Thomas’ hypocrisy when an NBC camera caught him mouthing “no way” to his partner Jordan Spieth when asked if they should concede a short putt to their competitors in a Saturday match. The very next day, Thomas was seen being overly dramatic in his disgust of an opponent for making him putt a short one in a crucial final-day singles match.

We all live by a different code when it comes to how we think and behave on the course. And when and how you concede putts in match play is part of your own unique golfing personality.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking an opponent to putt out in a match play competition.

Anyone signing up for a match play event should do so with the understanding that even the phrase “friendly competition” does not mean you should expect the same level of generosity on gimmies that your regular foursome shows you.

In team events, talk with your partner before the match and decide how you’re going to handle the conceding of putts.

Sometimes you and your partner will be finished a hole and standing beside each other within whispering distance and you can make the call together quickly, like Thomas and Speith did. But often one of you is tied up lining up the next putt or looking the other way at the moment the decision is needed. Having one team members handle all concessions is a good call.

You do not have to ease into it early in the match, saving the “I need to see that” for later in the round. In fact, sending a message early in a match that two-footers are not gimmies is fine. It doesn’t make you mean or a bully.

Downhill and sidehill putts should cause you to think long and hard about conceding the putt. Everyone is nervous in a match, including the favourite. Foot-and-ahalfers on level ground with no break may be sure things.

Downhillers of the same distance are missed a lot of the time, especially on midsummer baked out greens, under the gun. Maybe your own rule could be that you concede short uphillers but make them putt downhillers.

Know that many regular match players live by the code that says no matter how generous both sides were during the first 17 holes, there’s nothing wrong with demanding that a putt to win the match needs to be putted out. If you’re not prepared to hole out a short putt to win a match get over it, and stick to stroke play.

Perhaps it’s something to mull over in the off-season. What’s your own match play gimmie code? Does your approach change when you’re down three versus up three?

Having a plan that you’re confident in is worth at least a hole, maybe more, in most matches. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played a rookie match player and he’s been unsure of himself, often conceding way too many putts.

Golf is tough. Putting is a huge part of the game. The most seasoned match play opponent will respect you more, and perhaps even play less confidently, if you are mastering the gimmie game.

Don’t equate jiggling coins in your pocket or coughing in your opponent’s backswing with making him putt out.

You’re playing to win in the spirit of friendly, head-to-head competition. If you have a problem with that, perhaps you should just stick to playing with your regular group, and gladly accepting all the fourfooters they give you.