Depends on the type of round...but usually yes.

I play with a golf group that has around 40 players. We have two organized games a week minimum and there is always a game the rest of the week if you want to play. A long standing local rule is that gimmies are good if the ball is inside the leather of a standard 35 inch putter. Do I take a gimmie ? You bet. When in Rome you do as the Romans.

For recreational weekend rounds I do to keep the pace of play flowing for everyone else. Plus, usually there is a match team match within the foursome so i my opponents want to give me a putt, why not. We do not carry a distance rule, ie within the leather, but it at the discretion of the opposing team. A must have putt, therefore, if always holed so you still get to feel the pressure of sinking a two footer.

depends on type of round

Bob,
Yes I take the gimmies. I play in a senior group that has a "tourney" once a month and there is a rule that we can take gimmies if the entire ball is inside the grip. This is for pace of play reasons. When I play a casual round (usually by myself) I take the gimmie pretty often. Once in awhile if my first putt is a couple of inches or so I might just bump it in for grins and giggles, but most of the time I just take it.

Mark F.

If I am putting for a score that will be submitted to the USGA for handicap purposes, I will always putt out and I never take mulligans. I feel my game improves if I play within USGA rules as it encourages me to play and practice at my very best. Whenever you play gimme and mulligan golf, it encourages sloppy play IMHO.

DV

In this year's senior club championship, our pro sent us off with instructions to putt everything out. Two rounds and I just laughed at my playing partners, several of whom could not make a 2' putt, because they never have to putt them out playing with their buddies.

I take it all the time... But my problem is I'm hard of hearing so i never hear it so I putt out... But they have no problem saying it LOUDLY after I putt out...

Funny how my buddies play sometimes....

If it's within a putter length (35") I'm giving it...

Sure, I'll give them to you, but in the 4th quarter, you're putting them out.......My advice to anyone who competes at all, 2' or longer, get in the habit of making them......

Depends on the type of round. I think it helps the pace of play to take gimmies when you're playing for fun. No gimmies on birdies though!

I used to take them all the time but I've noticed growing up that it has caused me to feel much more nervous on short putts in tournaments. I've focused a lot this season on putting everything out and also giving each putt it's full attention. You don't realize how difficult a two foot putt is until you have to mark it, think about it, and make it when all your life, you've picked it up.

Good point for anybody playing competitively, Christian

Play golf, guys. Putt it out and move on. =)

Over the years we've found that gimmies cause more problems than they are worth. Folks start expecting them. So, in our groups, if you have to ask, you know the answer. We putt everything out. IF you're doing a "step over toe hold" or "triple lutz" to tap a putt in, rather than mark it, and you miss, then it's a miss for the match. But you put it down as made for your handicap score. If it's on the lip once and a while, someone will knock it back to you, but anyone playing with us knows, you putt it out. Occasionally someone may come in and will ask "is that good?" to which you'll be answered "it isn't bad!" All works out and is easier than arguing what's good.

I always putt it out. I also don't ever ask if it is a gimme. Keeps the round simple for me.

If it's a match I'll take it for sure. If I'm playing by myself then I putt everything in. Like Christian said, you never know when you'll have the 2-3' for the win.

I spend a lot of time on the practice green , long and short drills. I will take a gimme in casual play only.

Depends on the situation. I never start off a round taking any gimmies, but if I'm on, I make most close putts anyway.

But, if there are any bets on the line, or if I feel like my round is going to affect my handicap, then I putt out.

I always putt out.
I kinda get a little frustrated when a good shot is made and my playing partners toss the ball away from the cup...it's good. I like to give a 100% on every shot even the short putts...they all count the same....Finish out the hole!!!

Cheers,
Dr. K

Those 3 footers are just as important as a 250 yd tee shot. I take nothing for granted and putt them all out. Love the guys that routinely give themselves those 3 footers because they are too good to miss.

For fun or practice round no; if it's competition then definitely!

usually I just tap it in... keeps you self confident