Can I concede my opponent's next stroke in match play?

Yes, you can concede your opponent's next stroke at any point before they make it. The stroke counts on their scorecard, they pick up their ball, and the hole is done for them. You can even concede by stopping their ball in motion — but only if you mean to concede the next stroke.

When and how you can concede a stroke

You can concede the next stroke any time before your opponent plays it — standing on the tee, while they're reading a putt, or even while their ball is still rolling from the previous shot. If you say "that's good" or "pick it up" before they address the ball, the concession stands. The stroke is added to their score for the hole, they remove their ball, and you move on. If their ball is still moving from the last stroke and you stop or deflect it to concede the next one, that's allowed — but only if you're clearly doing it to concede. If the ball was already going in the hole, the concession doesn't matter because the hole's already finished.

What happens after a concession

Once you concede a stroke, it's final. You can't take it back, and your opponent can't decline it. They've completed the hole with that stroke included in their score. Anyone — you, them, a caddie — can pick up the ball. The hole continues for you if you haven't finished, but for them it's over. This is different from conceding the hole or the match. A stroke concession just gives them one shot; they still have to play the next one unless you concede that too.

Things you can't do with concessions

You and your opponent can't agree before the round to trade concessions on certain holes to shorten the match — like "I'll give you the 6th, you give me the 7th." If you do that and start the match anyway, you're both disqualified under Rule 1.3b. Also, your caddie can't concede anything for you. If they try, it doesn't count. No penalty to you, but if your opponent picks up their ball thinking it was conceded, they just replace it and play on — no penalty there either.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball is holed before the concession is made → The concession doesn't apply — the hole is already complete.
• A caddie attempts to concede a stroke, hole, or match → The concession is not valid. The opponent must replace their ball if they lifted it, with no penalty to anyone.
• Players agree to concede holes to each other to shorten the match → Both players are disqualified under Rule 1.3b if they know it's not allowed and start the match anyway.

Frequently asked questions

Can I concede a stroke after my opponent has already started their backswing?

No. The concession must be made before the opponent makes their next stroke. Once they've started the swing, it's too late — the stroke counts as played.

If I concede a stroke, can my opponent still putt if they want to?

No. Once a stroke is conceded, the hole is complete for them. They can't choose to play on — the concession is final and they must pick up.

Can I concede a stroke by tapping my opponent's ball away while it's still rolling?

Yes, but only if you're clearly doing it to concede the next stroke. If the ball was already going in the hole, the concession doesn't matter because the hole was already won.

What if my caddie tells my opponent "that's good" — does it count?

No. Only you can concede. A caddie's attempted concession isn't valid. If your opponent picks up based on that, they just replace the ball and play on with no penalty.

Can we agree before the match to concede certain holes to each other to speed things up?

No. That's not allowed. If you both know it's against the rules and tee off anyway, you're both disqualified.