Can You Concede
a Putt in Matchplay?

Yes — and once you say "that's good," it's done. The concession cannot be withdrawn, refused, or reversed. Here's exactly how it works.

Short Answer

Yes. In matchplay you can concede your opponent's next stroke at any time before they play it. The ball is considered holed. The concession is immediate and binding — it cannot be taken back. (Rule 3.2b(1))

How it works in practice

Example

Your opponent has a 14-inch putt. You say "that's good."

They pick the ball up.

You immediately think they would have missed — and say "actually, putt it."

Too late. The concession stands. The hole is already decided.

A concession can be made verbally ("that's good"), by gesture (waving the ball up), or implied when your opponent picks up their ball after you've indicated it's conceded. All three are equally binding.

Key rules on concessions

It cannot be withdrawn

Once a concession is given, neither player can withdraw it — not even if the opponent hasn't yet picked up their ball. The moment you say "that's good," the hole result is set.

It cannot be refused

Your opponent cannot refuse a concession. If you concede their putt and they insist on holing out anyway, that extra putt doesn't count — the hole was already decided when you conceded.

The conceded stroke still counts on the scorecard

A conceded putt is recorded as one stroke on the scorecard. If your opponent had taken three shots to reach the green and you concede their putt, they score a four — not a three.

You can concede from any distance

There's no rule on how close to the hole a putt must be before you can concede it. You could concede a 40-foot putt, a tee shot, or the entire match. The distance is irrelevant — the concession is valid regardless.

Concessions only exist in matchplay

In stroke play and Stableford, concessions are not permitted under the Rules of Golf. Every player must hole out. The "gimmie" culture that exists in casual stroke play rounds is technically against the rules of that format.

Common mistakes

✗

Saying "that's good" then changing your mind
The concession is given the moment you say it. There is no take-back.

✗

Assuming a casual "good" doesn't count
Even an ambiguous gesture or nod can be interpreted as a concession. Be deliberate and clear.

✗

Giving concessions in stroke play
Only valid in matchplay. In a stroke play competition, telling someone to pick up their ball could disqualify them.

✗

Thinking the opponent can hole out to "prove" it
The concession is final. Holing out after a concession has no effect on the result.

Common questions

What is the official rule on conceding a putt?

Rule 3.2b(1) of the Rules of Golf covers concessions in matchplay. It states that a player may concede the opponent's next stroke at any time before that stroke is made. The ball is then considered holed with one more stroke. The concession may be made verbally or by action, and cannot be withdrawn.

What if I pick up my ball before it's been conceded?

If you pick up your ball without a concession from your opponent, you are treated as having conceded the hole to them — you lose that hole. Don't pick up until either your opponent says "that's good" or the hole result is already determined.

Can I concede a putt in a competition?

Yes — in a matchplay competition. The rules allow it at any level of matchplay, from club knockouts to the Ryder Cup. It is not allowed in stroke play competitions, even if both players agree.

Can you concede a putt in fourball matchplay?

Yes, but be careful. In fourball, a concession applies only to the individual player, not their partner. If you concede one opponent's putt, the other opponent must still hole out. You can concede one player's putt while the other player's ball is still in play.

Is there a strategic advantage to not conceding short putts?

Yes — making your opponent hole short putts under pressure is a legitimate matchplay tactic, particularly in tight matches or on the back nine. Many experienced matchplay golfers stop giving putts over 3 feet when the match is close. It is perfectly within the rules and is part of the psychological dimension of matchplay.