Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
To pick up is to lift a golf ball before completing the hole. In ordinary play, that can leave the hole unfinished and may create a penalty. In match play, picking up is normally safe when the opponent has clearly conceded the next stroke or the hole.
How it matters in match play
Match play allows a player to concede a next stroke, a hole or the match. After a clearly communicated concession, the opponent may remove the ball, so picking it up is not a failure to hole out. Picking up without that concession is different: the player should clarify the status before lifting the ball, because the Rules may require the ball to be replaced and may impose a penalty.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Pick Up |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf Rule 3.2b(1)-(2); Rule 9.5a-b; Rule 9.4b |
| Related concepts | Concession, Conceded Stroke, Conceded Hole, Holing Out, Hole Score |
Worked example
On the 7th hole, Ben's ball is 30 centimetres from the hole and Alex says, ‘That is good’; Ben picks up, and the conceded stroke counts so Ben records a 4 if he had already made 3 strokes.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rule 3.2b(1)-(2); Rule 9.5a-b; Rule 9.4b
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is picking up a golf ball the same as conceding a hole?
No. A concession must be made by words or an action that clearly shows the player's intent. Picking up a ball is not, by itself, a reliable substitute for communicating a concession, so players should state whether the stroke or hole is conceded.
Can I pick up after my opponent says my putt is good in match play?
Yes, when the statement clearly concedes your next stroke. The conceded stroke is included in your hole score, and the ball may be removed. You may still putt out, but you cannot decline or withdraw the concession.
What happens if I pick up without a concession?
Do not assume the hole is over. Ask the opponent or referee for a ruling. The ball may have to be replaced, and lifting your own ball without an applicable exception can attract a penalty under the Rules.
Does Pick Up have a fixed score in match play?
No. A pick-up does not create a universal score. If a next stroke is conceded, that stroke is counted and the hole score is whatever the player had made plus the conceded stroke; a conceded hole is settled as a win for the opponent.
Is Pick Up a formal competition format?
No. Pick Up describes an action, usually lifting a ball before holing out. Its scoring effect depends on the form of play, any concession and the competition's terms; it is not a standalone match or betting format.
Can a conceded stroke be taken back after I pick up?
No. Under Rule 3.2b, a concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn. If there was a genuine misunderstanding, the players should stop and seek a ruling rather than invent a replacement score.