Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Good-Good is informal match-play shorthand for both players agreeing that each other’s short next putt is conceded. It is not a separate Rules of Golf format or scoring method: it describes two concessions, usually made by clear words or gestures, rather than holes being played out.
How it matters in match play
In match play, a Good-Good exchange is valid only when each concession is clearly communicated before the relevant next stroke. Under Rule 3.2b, a concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn; the conceded stroke counts, so the player does not need to hole it. The phrase itself is casual, so say exactly which strokes are conceded.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Good-Good |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | Rule 3.2b(1) |
| Related concepts | Concession, Conceded Stroke, Gimme, Halved Hole, Match Play |
Worked example
On the 7th hole, Alex is 1 up and both Alex’s and Ben’s next putts are short; Alex concedes Ben’s putt and Ben concedes Alex’s, so each records the number of strokes including the conceded putt and the hole result is unchanged.
Rule reference: Rule 3.2b(1)
Sources: www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is Good-Good an official golf rule or format?
No. Good-Good is informal language for mutual concessions in match play. The Rules of Golf govern the underlying concessions, not the phrase as a named format.
Can a player change their mind after saying Good-Good?
No, if the statement clearly conceded the next stroke. Rule 3.2b says a concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn. Avoid ambiguity by naming the player and stroke being conceded.
Does a conceded Good-Good putt count as a stroke?
Yes. The opponent’s hole score includes the conceded stroke, and the ball may be removed. The player may still putt out after a concession, provided doing so does not help a partner.
Can Good-Good be used in stroke play?
Not as a Rules-based mutual concession. The concession provision in Rule 3.2b is for match play; stroke play normally requires each player to hole out under Rule 3.3c, subject to any applicable format rules.
What if ‘good’ was not meant as a concession?
Clarify the meaning immediately. A concession must be communicated verbally or by an action that clearly shows that intent, so an ambiguous compliment should not automatically be treated as Good-Good.
Does Good-Good automatically halve the hole?
No. Mutual concessions only settle the relevant strokes. The hole is halved only if the players’ resulting scores are equal, or if they agree to treat it as tied after at least one player has made a stroke.