Great topic Dino. I think the whole "that's good" thing was assumed when Pettersen and partner walked past the hole and off the green after the first putt. It was a great display of poor etiquette. If the putt wasn't going to be conceded, then they stand where they were, and watch the American tap it in. At least, that was what bothered me in the whole thing. And then comes the big apology after the competition was over. That left me wondering if the Euro's had won, would anything have been said about it after? In my opinion it looked good on the Euro's when the U.S. stormed back and won the thing. As Inkster said "you just don't do that to your piers"... and you don't.

Dino:

I always think it get to the ridiculous on things like this. If it is a competition, just putt everything out. It takes any sportsmanship and/or gamesmanship out. That way everyone knows what to expect.If you are playing for fun as 99% of the time it is for the rest of us, go ahead and give or take putts.

Chris H.

I understand where you are coming from Chris, however conceding putts in match play is part of the fabric of the competition.

I too am one who thinks that the fact that the opposing team stood there and carefully watched the first putt roll by and then immediately started walking away instead of waiting there for her to mark her ball was a sure sign that they either intended to concede the putt or (more devious) to fake her into believing that was what they were doing so that they could catch them and win the hole. I also believe her when she said she thought she heard them say it was good, but the mikes did not pick that stuff up.

In the end, I believe the apology was written well, and believable. There is no doubt that she realized later that evening following time to reflect and having seen comments in the social media both from the U.S. and from Europe knew that she had to do something to salvage her future standings in a game of honour.

We play a lot of match play at our course, and quite often give putts throughout the round except when the putt is a tricky side hill lie or speedy downhill with slope. The difference is that we don't start walking to the next tee as if the hole is done. We stand there patiently and wait for them to put the ball in the hole.

Conceding putts is a standard practice and is acceptable within the rules when posting scores for handicap purposes.

The RCGA requires one to  post scores for handicap purposes including when one plays match-play format using the following guidelines:

Incomplete or Conceded Holes If you did not complete a hole or were conceded a stroke(s) on a hole, you must record your most likely score for that hole. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in your best judgment, the number of strokes that you would need to hole out from that position more than half the time. There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes you may have in a round. This concept allows for you to post scores made in Match Play where conceded strokes are common.

Darius

I agree with Stephen, if you're not conceding the putt then stay on the green and watch the putt be made.  In this case, even the match ref. thought the putt was conceded and called the hole "halved".

When I'm playing a match, I always make my competitor make their short putts (1 - 2ft range) to prove to me that they can do it (I expect them to do the same to me).  After they make a couple, then I start conceding them.  If they can't make them, then I don't concede them.  Again, these are formal matches from the leagues I play in.  When playing with friends for fun, 2 footers are always good.

I actually do the opposite when I'm playing match play.  I'll concede putts even outside of the "not going to miss" range early in the round.  But on later holes I start to make them putt out.  It's easy to make a 2 footer on the first hole.  It's a lot more difficult to make 2-3 footer on the 15th hole in a tight match, especially when you haven't even attempted one since the putting green 3 hours earlier.

I agree. It was poor etiquette on the part of the Euro team to walk off the green like that. In watching the entire video sequence, it definitely sends the "non verbal" message that the putt was conceded.

However, I think one needs to always be on guard, rightly or wrongly, for gamesmanship ... and that is what occurred. I think Pettersen saw an opportunity and pounced on it. Normally a strong point and characteristic in nearly every other sport and in golf too (provided that such opportunities are presented in the "correct way").

As Jack Nicklaus once said about one of his major wins, he did not want to win a hole, a match, or a tournament by "wishing" an opponent missed a putt or a shot. He wanted to win by letting his own clubs and play do the "talking" per se. I believe this was his comment (I am paraphrasing) after Norman had that important putt on 18th to tie or to win in 1986 Masters.

For sure, I think Alison Lee learned an incredibly valuable lesson and hopefully so did the other participants (Pettersen and Charley Hull).

As the old adage goes, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me".

I have been in several games with my local groups ... the male group will allow "gimmes" provided that they are within the "leather" of the putter (assuming normal putters and not long belly putters!). The women's group that I play with insist on putting everything out and that there are no gimme's.