What's the Official Term for Short Putts in Golf? Tap-Ins, Gimmes, and More Explained

What Is a Short Putt Called in Golf? The Key to Easy Strokes

The Mystery of the Short Putt: What’s It Really Called?

If you’ve ever played golf (or even just watched a few rounds), you’ve probably heard golfers throw around all sorts of terms—birdie, bogey, fade, draw. But when it comes to putting, things get even more specific. So, what exactly is a short putt called in golf?

Well, the answer depends on how short we’re talking! Golf has a few names for short putts, each carrying its own meaning. Some are casual terms, some are official, and others… well, they’re just a little bit painful.

Common Terms for Short Putts

Tap-in: The Easiest Putt in Golf

A tap-in is exactly what it sounds like—a putt so short that you barely have to touch the ball to sink it. Usually, this means a putt within just a few inches or a foot from the hole.

Golfers often pick up these putts in casual rounds if their opponent agrees (this is known as a "gimme"—more on that below).

Example:
"I left my birdie putt just two inches away, so it was an easy tap-in for par."

Gimme: When You Don’t Even Have to Putt

A gimme is a short putt that your playing partners allow you to take automatically without actually hitting the ball. It's not an official rule in professional golf, but in casual or match play, players will often concede putts inside a certain range to speed up the game.

Example:
"That was inside two feet, so my opponent gave me the gimme."

But don’t be fooled—there’s nothing worse than assuming a putt is a gimme when it’s not (been there, done that, and yes, it’s embarrassing).

Knee-Knocker: The Short Putt That Still Makes You Nervous

Ever faced a short putt that should be easy, but suddenly your hands feel shaky and your brain is screaming, Don’t miss this? That’s what golfers call a knee-knocker—a short but nerve-wracking putt, usually between two to four feet.

These putts can be tricky, especially when there’s pressure involved. Missing a knee-knocker can be downright painful, whether it's for par, bogey, or worse.

Example:
"I had a three-footer for birdie, but man, that was a real knee-knocker!"

Shortie: A General Term for Any Short Putt

Some golfers just call any short putt a shortie—especially in casual conversation. It’s not the most technical term, but it gets the point across.

Example:
"You should’ve made that shortie—what happened?"

Why Do Short Putts Matter So Much?

Let’s be real—short putts can make or break your game. A missed two-footer feels ten times worse than a missed 20-foot putt because you should make it. The pros sink over 99% of their putts inside three feet, but for amateurs? It’s another story.

Common Mistakes on Short Putts:

• Overthinking: Sometimes, you just need to step up and hit it. Thinking too much can lead to hesitation.
• Lack of confidence: If you doubt yourself, you’re already halfway to missing.
• Rushing: Taking too little time can be just as bad as taking too much.

How to Never Miss a Tap-In Again

Alright, I’ll be honest—I’ve missed a few putts that were way too short. And it stings. But here’s what I’ve learned about making short putts feel automatic:

1. Don’t Take Them for Granted

Even the easiest tap-in deserves your attention. Take a moment, align yourself, and don’t rush it.

2. Keep Your Eyes on the Ball

Many golfers miss short putts because they look up too soon. Keep your head down, focus on making solid contact, and only look up once you hear the ball drop.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

The best way to eliminate knee-knockers? Repetition. Spend time on the putting green hitting three-footers until they feel automatic.

4. Use a Routine

Pros stick to a putting routine for a reason—it builds confidence. Find a rhythm that works for you and stick to it on every short putt.

Final Thoughts: Tap-Ins, Gimmes, and the Mental Game

So, now you know: short putts in golf have different names—tap-ins, gimmes, knee-knockers, and shorties. But regardless of what you call them, one thing is clear: they can be the easiest or most frustrating part of the game.

Next time you're standing over a short putt, remember—it’s never as easy as it looks, but with the right mindset and practice, you’ll make more of them than you miss.

And if someone gives you a gimme? Well, take it and smile. No need to make things harder than they have to be.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.