Concession in Match Play: Conceding a Stroke, Hole, or Match
A concession in match play (Rule 3.2b) lets you give up requiring your opponent to finish a stroke, hole, or the match — the official "gimme" that only exists in match play. Once made verbally or by clear gesture, it is final: the conceded stroke counts as holed, the hole or match ends immediately, and it cannot be withdrawn or refused.
What is a concession in match play
In match play, a concession (Rule 3.2b) is the act by which one player gives up requiring their opponent to complete a stroke, a hole, or the entire match. It is the rules equivalent of the informal "gimme" — and one of the clearest distinctions between match play and stroke play, a format where concessions do not exist and every stroke must be completed without exception.
A concession can be made at three levels:
- Concession of a stroke — the opponent does not need to play their next stroke; the hole result is calculated with that stroke counted
- Concession of a hole — the opponent wins the hole without needing to finish it
- Concession of the match — the opponent wins the match
How to make a concession
A concession is communicated verbally or by a clear, unambiguous gesture. There is no special format. All that matters is that the opponent clearly understands you are conceding the stroke, hole, or match.
Valid examples: "that putt's good", "the hole is yours", "I concede the match".
A concession is final and cannot be withdrawn
Once made, a concession cannot be withdrawn. Even if the player who received the concession tries to complete the stroke anyway, that attempt has no effect under the Rules.
If the opponent attempts to play a stroke that has already been conceded, the result of that stroke does not count for any purpose. The hole result is the one that follows from the concession.
The opponent cannot decline a concession
A concession cannot be refused or ignored. If you concede a putt to your opponent, that putt is holed — regardless of whether the opponent wants to attempt it for practice or any other reason.
When a concession can be made
A concession can be made at any point before the opponent has completed the hole:
- Before they have played
- Between strokes
- Even at the last moment, while the ball is still rolling
If the opponent's ball has already entered the hole, the hole is already completed and a concession is no longer possible (though many players say it anyway as a courtesy gesture).
Concessions in Foursomes and Four-Ball
In Foursomes (partners playing alternate shots), a concession of a stroke concedes the next stroke to the opposing team, not to an individual player.
In Four-Ball (better-ball), a concession of a stroke to one player applies only to that player: their partner continues playing their own ball. You cannot concede the hole to the team if the other partner still has a ball in play that could win or halve the hole. For how handicap strokes interact with concessions across Four-Ball and Foursomes formats, see the guide to handicap in match play.
Common mistakes with concessions
Mistake 1 — Thinking concessions apply in stroke play: they do not. Concessions only exist in match play. In stroke play, all strokes must be completed.
Mistake 2 — Trying to withdraw a concession made in haste: once said, it is final even if you regret it instantly.
Mistake 3 — Confusing a concession with a ball picked up without one: if you simply haven't conceded and the opponent picks up their ball without finishing the hole, that is the opponent's error, not your concession. The opponent incurs a penalty for not completing the hole.
What happens if a concession is made by mistake
A concession made under a genuine misunderstanding — for example, thinking the opponent had already holed out when they had not, or miscounting the state of the match — does not become void. The concession stands: the player who received it wins the stroke or hole as conceded, regardless of the error that prompted it. This is why experienced match play golfers are deliberate when offering concessions and why verbal clarity ("the hole is yours" vs. "nice shot") matters.
Keeping an accurate running score also reduces the risk of a concession triggered by miscounting. The match play score counter tracks who is up and by how many holes automatically, so you always know the exact state of the match before deciding to concede.
FAQ
What is a concession in match play?
A concession (Rule 3.2b) is when you give up requiring your opponent to finish a stroke, hole, or match — the official "gimme" that only exists in match play. The conceded stroke counts as holed and the hole or match ends immediately.
Can a concession be withdrawn after it is made?
No. A concession is final the moment it is communicated verbally or by clear gesture. It cannot be taken back, even if you change your mind instantly.
Can a player refuse or decline a concession?
No. A concession cannot be refused or ignored. If you concede a putt, that ball is deemed holed — the opponent has no choice, and attempting the putt anyway has no effect on the score.
Do concessions apply in stroke play?
No. Concessions are exclusive to match play. In stroke play — including Stableford and medal rounds — every stroke must be completed and recorded. Picking up without holing out incurs a penalty.
What happens if a player putts a conceded stroke?
It has no scoring effect. Once a concession is made, any subsequent stroke is irrelevant. The hole result is determined by the concession itself, not by where the ball goes.