Linda,
I was playing a match today and gave a putt to my opponent.
I picked up his ball and gave it to him. He replaced and putted out. Is this
allowed?
Regards,
Lou from Spain
Dear Lou,
Yes.
Rule 2-4 states: “A concession may not be declined or
withdrawn.” This means that as soon as you concede a putt (or the hole, or the
match) to your opponent, the hole is over for him. In other words, if his ball
lies three on the green, and you concede his putt, his score on the hole is
four. He incurs no penalty for trying the putt after the concession, and you
may not tell him that if he tries the putt you will withdraw your concession
[Decision 2-4/6].
This answer applies to a singles match. The ruling is
different if your opponent has a partner. In that case, if the player’s putt
after the concession might help his partner (perhaps by showing him the line,
or the break near the hole, or the speed of the green), the partner is
disqualified from the hole.
If you want to avoid a Rules dispute, pick up your ball as soon
as you receive a concession, and wait until everyone has completed the hole
before you try the putt.
Linda
Copyright © 2016 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
