Dear readers,
Judging from your
responses to Ask
Linda #1803-Hole out after
putt conceded, there is apparently a bit of confusion
regarding concessions in match play and continuing play after a concession. Here
are a few things you should know:
• A concession may
not be withdrawn. If you concede your opponent’s next stroke, you may not
change your mind [Rule 2-4].
• A concession may
not be declined. If your opponent concedes your next stroke, you may not refuse
to accept that concession [Rule 2-4].
• Once the result of
a hole is decided (which was the situation in #1803), a player may try to
hole out a putt that was conceded. Regardless of whether that ball is holed,
there is no effect on the result of that hole. Such a putt would be considered
a practice putt; anyone may practice putting on the green of the hole last
played [Rule 7-2].
• In partners play,
if the result of the hole has not been decided, a player whose putt
has been conceded before his partner plays should pick up his ball and wait
until the hole is over if he wants to try that putt. Technically, the player is
permitted to hole out after the concession, but if there were any possibility
that his putt might assist his partner (line of putt, speed of green, break,
etc.), the partner would be disqualified from the hole. If you want to be safe,
always wait until the hole is over before trying to make a putt that was
conceded [Decision 2-4/6].
There are 22 Decisions regarding concessions (2-4/1 through
2-4/22). You may access them via the USGA and R&A websites. Details
regarding when you may concede are outlined in Rule 2-4.
