Rules Review
Rules of Golf Review: I conceded a stroke thinking it tied a hole, but it gave my opponent a win. What now?
Call it a misunderstanding. Call it sneaky. Call it a huge mistake. Any of those reactions are reasonable when a concession in match play is given because of bad information. What happens when you concede an opponent's putt thinking you tied the hole, only to find out he or she holed out in one fewer strokes than you?
In short, it depends on what transpired leading up to the gaffe.
Rule 3.2b in the Rules of Golf covers concessions in match play, and first lets it be known that you can concede the next stroke or next hole at your discretion. However, "a concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn."
It's that bold statement that might give you pause as to what happens when a concession is given based on the premise that an opponent has completed a hole in a certain number of strokes—but actually took one less.
If your accounting of the match is off, well, then it's tough luck for you. You conceded a win for your opponent. Again, a concession is final and can't be withdrawn. However, if your opponent gave you wrong information (accidentally or intentionally) about the score and doesn't correct the error before the concession is made, then he or she loses the hole.
"The player must give the right number of strokes taken before the opponent makes another stroke or takes a similar action (such as conceding the player’s next stroke or the hole)," says Rule 3.2d.
There is one exception to this, however: If your opponent gives the wrong number of strokes taken after a hole is completed, and it didn't affect your understanding of the hole's outcome, there is no penalty.
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