Can I get a penalty for holing out a conceded putt?

Steve Carroll

Are you still allowed to take a run at the flag even if your opponent has said ‘it’s good?’ Our Rules of Golf guru takes a look

It’s the sound every golfer loves to hear – especially if it saves you from a tricky sliding three-footer. ‘That’s good’.

Concessions, of course, are a unique feature of match-play golf and a key part of what makes the format special. When to give a putt and when to make your opponent carry on?

The tactical complexities are boundless, and there has been plenty of furore and drama around whether a putt has been conceded or not – as Suzann Pettersen and Sergio Garcia can surely testify.

But while you will know you can concede your opponent’s next stroke, a hole, or even a match, and how that must be communicated, what about when that act is done?

What if you still fancied having a go – for a bit of practice or to get some vital information for an upcoming hole? Is it allowed, or once you’ve been told you can pick it up are you compelled to do so?

Putting out after a conceded putt

You’re fine to putt out after a shot has been conceded – even though that action means the hole has been completed and, as Rule 3.2b (1) points out, “the ball may be removed by anyone”.

But there is an exception to this and it comes in fourball match play. Check out in Rule 23.6, which states: “A player must not continue play of a hole after the player’s next stroke has been conceded if this would help their partner”.

If they do carry on, they don’t get a penalty and their score for the hole still stands. “But the partner’s score for the hole cannot count for the side”.

Got a question for our expert?

Despite the changes to the Rules of Golf in 2019 and 2023, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. I’ll try to help by featuring the best of your queries in this column.

Have you had any trouble putting out after a conceded putt? Let me know with a tweet?

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE RULES OF GOLF

NOW READ: Help! I thought my opponent conceded my putt

NOW READ: Want to concede a putt? Here’s how to do it without breaking the rules

About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

Twitter