- What Is a Mulligan in Golf?
- Are Mulligans Actually Allowed in Golf?
- When Is It Okay to Take a Mulligan?
- Mulligan vs Breakfast Ball vs Provisional Ball
- Where Did the Term Mulligan Come From?
- Is Taking a Mulligan Cheating?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
You stripe a drive into the trees, reach for another ball, and someone in your group says, “Take a mulligan.” So, what is a mulligan in golf? It is an informal do-over that lets you replay a poor shot without counting the first one. Mulligans are common in friendly weekend rounds and charity outings, but they are not part of the official Rules of Golf. This guide explains when you can take one, when you should skip it, and how it differs from a breakfast ball or provisional ball.
What Is a Mulligan in Golf?
A mulligan is an unofficial do-over that lets a golfer replay a poor shot without counting the original attempt or adding a penalty. For example, if your opening drive flies into the trees and your group agrees to ignore it, you can tee up another ball from the same spot and treat that second shot as the one that counts.
Mulligans are most common on tee shots, especially on the first hole, although casual groups may allow them elsewhere. They are not part of the official Rules of Golf, but rather one of the many funny golf terms you may hear during a relaxed round with friends. There is nothing wrong with taking one when everyone agrees beforehand, but it should not be used in competitive play or included in a score presented as official.
Are Mulligans Actually Allowed in Golf?
Mulligans are allowed only as an informal house rule in casual golf. They are not free replays under the official Rules of Golf, so you cannot use one in a tournament or include one in a score posted for handicap purposes.
Casual Rounds
In a friendly round, your group can allow mulligans as long as everyone agrees before teeing off. You might choose one per player, one from the first tee, or one on each nine. Keep the rule fair, use the replay quickly, and make sure everyone understands that the final score is casual rather than official.
Tournament Play
Free mulligans are not allowed in tournaments played under the Rules of Golf. A bad shot cannot simply be erased, although you may replay from the previous spot under stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke. For example, if your opening drive goes out of bounds and you tee up another ball, that next shot is your third—not your first.
Handicap Rounds
A round posted for golf handicap purposes should be played and scored under the Rules of Golf. Taking a free mulligan, ignoring the original shot, and recording only the replacement would make the score unreliable for posting. You can still enjoy a relaxed round with do-overs, but it should be treated as a casual score rather than an official handicap round.
When Is It Okay to Take a Mulligan?
It is okay to take a mulligan in a casual round when everyone agrees on the rules before teeing off. For most groups, the simplest option is one mulligan per player, limited to tee shots or the first hole. A first-tee mulligan is often called a breakfast ball, especially when no one had time to warm up.
- Agree before the first shot: Do not wait until you hit a bad drive to ask for a second chance. A simple rule such as “one mulligan each, tee shots only” keeps things clear.
- Give everyone the same chance: Each golfer should have the same number of mulligans, even if some players decide not to use theirs.
- Use it right away: Announce your mulligan and replay the shot immediately. Do not spend several minutes looking for the original ball before deciding to hit again.
Agreeing on the rules, treating everyone fairly, and keeping the round moving are all part of basic golf etiquette. Mulligans should still be skipped in tournaments, handicap rounds, or any game where the score is meant to follow the official Rules of Golf.
Mulligan vs Breakfast Ball vs Provisional Ball
These terms all involve hitting another ball, but they are not interchangeable. A mulligan and breakfast ball are casual do-overs, while a provisional ball and stroke-and-distance relief are official procedures with scoring consequences.
| Term | What It Means | Officially Allowed? | What Happens to the Original Shot? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulligan | A free replay agreed upon in casual play | No | Usually ignored |
| Breakfast ball | A mulligan taken from the first tee | No | Usually ignored |
| Provisional ball | A backup ball played when the original may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds | Yes | It may become the ball in play |
| Stroke and distance | Replaying from the previous spot with a one-stroke penalty | Yes | The original stroke and penalty both count |
Provisional ball: A provisional ball is an official way to save time when your original ball may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. You must announce it before playing. If the original ball is found in bounds, you continue with it; otherwise, the provisional may become the ball in play.
Stroke and distance: This means replaying from the previous spot while adding one penalty stroke. Unlike a mulligan, the original shot is not erased from your score.
The key difference is simple: a mulligan is free and informal, while a provisional ball and stroke-and-distance relief follow the official rules.
Where Did the Term Mulligan Come From?
The exact origin of the word mulligan is still debated, but the best-known story centers on David Mulligan, a Canadian golfer who played at St. Lambert Country Club near Montreal in the 1920s. According to the story, he replayed a poor opening drive and called the second attempt a “correction shot.” His playing partners later began using his last name for the informal do-over.
Another version credits John “Buddy” Mulligan, a locker-room attendant at Essex Fells Country Club in New Jersey, who was reportedly given a second shot after joining club members for a round. Neither story has been proven beyond doubt, although the David Mulligan account remains the explanation golfers hear most often.
Is Taking a Mulligan Cheating?
In a casual round, taking a mulligan is not cheating as long as everyone agrees on the rule before teeing off. It is simply part of the group’s informal format, whether that means one do-over per player or a breakfast ball on the first tee.
It becomes a problem only when someone hides the replay, takes more mulligans than agreed, uses one in competition, or counts the round as an official handicap score or personal best. The easiest rule is to be upfront—a score of “88 with one mulligan” is still a good round, and everyone knows exactly how it was played.
Conclusion
A mulligan in golf is simply an unofficial second chance to replay a bad shot without penalty. It is fine in a friendly round when everyone agrees, but it is not allowed as a free do-over in tournaments or handicap play. Set the rules before teeing off, keep it fair, and do not treat a mulligan-assisted round as an official score. For relaxed weekends on the course, comfortable men’s golf shirts can also help you stay focused from the first tee to the final hole.
FAQs
Can You Take a Mulligan on Any Hole?
In a casual round, you can take a mulligan on any hole as long as everyone agrees beforehand. Most groups limit it to the first tee or one per round, while official competitions do not allow free replays.
Do Professional Golfers Get Mulligans?
No. Professional golfers must follow the official rules, so any replayed shot has to use the correct procedure and include any required penalty.
Does a Mulligan Count Toward Your Handicap?
Not when the original shot is erased without a penalty. A round that includes a free mulligan should not be posted for handicap purposes because it was not scored under the official rules.