Gemme Putts
2-4 Concession of Next Stroke, Hole or Match:
A player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time provided the opponent’s ball is at rest. The opponent is considered to have holed out with his next stroke and the ball may be removed by either side.
A player may concede a hole at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that hole.
A player may concede a match at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that match.
A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.
From the NCGA Rules: on Gemme putts:Old wives tale #4: “In singles match play if a putt is conceded, but the player putts anyway and misses the putt - too bad, the miss counts.” W-R-O-N-G. I guess this expert never read Rule 2-4 which tells us that “A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.” Furthermore, the Rules of Golf allow a player to practice a putt after the conclusion of the hole. Rule 7-2(a).
more on Gemme Putts: here's the USGA Rule on how many strokes should a player add when player allows opponent to 'pick up ball'....should player add one to two strokes for handicapping purposes:
4-1. Unfinished Holes and Conceded Strokes
A player who starts, but does not complete a hole or is conceded a stroke must record for handicap purposes the most likely score. The most likely score may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit, defined in Section 4-3. This most likely score should be preceded by an "X." (See Decision 4-1/1.)
There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes a player may have in a round, provided that failure to finish is not for the purpose of handicap manipulation.
Example 1: A and B are partners in a four-ball stroke play competition. On a hole on which neither player receives a handicap stroke, A lies two, 18 feet from the hole. B lies two, 25 feet from the hole. B holes a putt for a 3. A picks up on the hole, because A cannot better B's score. A records X-4 on the scorecard because 4 is A's most likely score.
Example 2: A and B are playing a match. On a hole on which neither player receives a handicap stroke, A has holed out in 4; B has a 30-foot putt for a 5. B has lost the hole, and picks up. B records X-6 on the scorecard because 6 is B's most likely score.
Example 3: A and B are playing a match. On a hole on which neither player receives a handicap stroke, A is one foot from the hole, lying 4. B is 10 feet from the hole, lying 3. B putts and misses. They both concede a half. Both players record X-5 because that is their most likely score.
Most Likely Score
A "most likely score" is the score a player must post for handicap purposes if a hole is started but not completed or if the player is conceded a stroke. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player's best judgment, the number of strokes the player would take to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. This number may not exceed the player's Equitable Stroke Control limit. (See Section 4-3.)
GPS Devices
Twilite League's Policy on Distance-Measuring Devices:
It has been decided to allow GPS based or other Distance-Measuring Devices that do not have the capability of measuring other conditions to be used in Twilite League tournaments. This ruling will be in effect until further notice. Only devices that meet the USGA specification for Distance-Measuring Devices may be used.
USGA Language on Distance-Measuring Devices is that at golf club may specify as appropriate, [e.g., "In this competition," or "For all play at this course," etc.], a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used. (The underlining is ours.)
NCGA has further ruled that the golfer can share the distance information with other members/competitors in her/his group - that is, it is not giving advice.