A mulligan in golf is a do-over shot that a golfer takes after hitting a poor shot, usually from the tee. The original shot is simply ignored and the golfer plays another ball as if the first shot did not count.
Mulligans are common in casual golf, friendly rounds, charity events, and some informal games. They are not part of the official Rules of Golf, so a mulligan cannot normally be used in a competition where the official rules apply.
The important point is that a mulligan is an informal agreement between golfers. There are no universal rules for how many mulligans you can take, when you can take one, or whether everyone in the group must follow the same arrangement.
What Does Mulligan Mean in Golf?
A mulligan means that a golfer gets another chance after a poor shot without counting the first attempt.
The term is most commonly associated with a poor tee shot. For example, if you hit your first drive out of bounds during a casual round, your group might agree that you can take a mulligan and hit another drive from the tee.
If the group agrees to the mulligan, the second shot becomes the ball you continue playing. The first shot is not counted in the informal score.
Are Mulligans Allowed in Official Golf?
No. A mulligan is not an option provided by the official Rules of Golf.
In a competition played under the Rules of Golf, you cannot simply replay a poor shot because you did not like the result. If you do so without another rule allowing the replay, the second ball does not become a legal replacement for the original shot.
This is why mulligans should be treated as a casual golfing tradition rather than an official scoring method.
When Can You Take a Mulligan?
In casual golf, the group decides when mulligans are allowed.
The most common arrangement is to allow a mulligan from the first tee or to allow one or more tee shot do-overs during the round.
Some groups allow a mulligan only on the first tee. Others may allow one mulligan per nine holes or a set number for the entire round.
The important thing is to agree on the rules before anyone starts using them.
How Many Mulligans Do You Get?
There is no standard number.
One mulligan per round is a common informal arrangement, while some friendly groups may allow more. Charity golf events and other casual formats may also create their own mulligan system.
A good rule is to decide the number before the round starts. This prevents disagreements later about whether a player has another do-over available.
Can You Take a Mulligan on Any Shot?
Traditionally, mulligans are associated with tee shots rather than shots from the fairway, rough, bunker, or green.
Allowing a do-over for every type of shot can change the game significantly. A golfer could potentially replay a poor approach, chip, bunker shot, or putt, which is very different from the traditional use of a mulligan.
If your group wants to allow mulligans on shots other than drives, establish that rule before the round.
Can You Take a Mulligan After a Lost Ball?
In casual golf, your group can agree to allow this, but it is not an official golf rule.
For example, a player might hit a tee shot into the trees and be unable to find it. Under the normal Rules of Golf, the player must deal with the appropriate penalty and relief procedure. A casual group may instead agree that the player can use a mulligan.
If you are keeping an official score, however, you should not replace the original shot with a mulligan.
Can You Take a Mulligan After Hitting Out of Bounds?
In casual golf, a group can agree to allow a mulligan after an out-of-bounds shot.
Under the official Rules of Golf, an out-of-bounds ball normally requires the player to play again from the previous spot with a penalty stroke, unless a specific local rule or other applicable procedure provides another option.
A mulligan simply removes the consequence informally, which is why it should not be used when playing a competition round under the official rules.
Can You Take a Mulligan After a Good Shot?
There is no official rule preventing a casual group from creating its own arrangement, but traditionally a mulligan is used because the golfer hit a poor or undesirable shot.
Taking a mulligan after a good shot simply because you think you can hit an even better one is generally outside the spirit of the tradition.
Can You Take a Mulligan on a Par 3?
Yes, if your group agrees to allow it.
A tee shot on a par 3 is still a tee shot, but many groups choose to restrict mulligans to certain holes or the first tee.
Because a good tee shot on a par 3 can result in a very short birdie putt or even a hole in one, allowing unlimited mulligans on par 3 holes can have a significant effect on the game.
Can You Take a Mulligan on a Putt?
Traditionally, no.
The term mulligan is normally associated with a do-over from the tee. A second attempt at a putt is usually handled separately as a casual practice putt or another informal arrangement.
If your group wants to allow putting do-overs, it should be clearly agreed upon before the round.
What Are the Unwritten Rules of Mulligans?
Because mulligans are not governed by the official Rules of Golf, the unwritten rules are mostly about fairness and making sure everyone understands the format.
Some sensible guidelines include:
- Agree on the mulligan rules before the round.
- Give every golfer the same number of mulligans.
- Normally use mulligans for tee shots.
- Do not secretly use a mulligan after a bad result.
- Do not use mulligans when the group is playing a serious competition under the official rules.
- Make sure everyone knows whether mulligans count toward the score.
- Do not let mulligans slow the pace of play.
Do Mulligans Count on Your Scorecard?
In a casual round, the group can decide how to handle the score.
Most golfers who use a mulligan simply disregard the original shot and score the hole based on the replacement shot. However, this score should be considered a casual score rather than an official score under the Rules of Golf.
If you are tracking your official handicap, you should follow the scoring rules that apply to handicap purposes rather than entering a score that includes informal mulligans.
Why Do Golfers Use Mulligans?
Mulligans exist mainly to make casual golf more enjoyable.
Golf can be difficult, particularly for beginners. A poor first tee shot can lead to a frustrating start, and a mulligan can give a player another opportunity without adding unnecessary pressure to a friendly round.
They can also help keep a casual group moving when everyone agrees that the purpose of the round is enjoyment rather than strict competition.
Where Did the Term Mulligan Come From?
The exact origin of the word mulligan is uncertain.
One of the most commonly repeated stories connects the term to David Mulligan, a Canadian golfer associated with a golf club in New Jersey in the early twentieth century. According to the story, he took an extra tee shot after a difficult journey to the club.
Other stories have also been proposed, and there is no universally accepted explanation for exactly how the golf term originated.
The word eventually became associated with the idea of a free second attempt in casual golf.
Are Mulligans the Same as a Breakfast Ball?
A breakfast ball is essentially a type of mulligan that is usually associated with the first tee shot of the day.
The idea is that a golfer gets another chance after a poor opening drive, perhaps because the golfer is not fully warmed up yet.
Like a standard mulligan, a breakfast ball is an informal golfing tradition and is not part of the official Rules of Golf.
What Is the Difference Between a Mulligan and a Provisional Ball?
A mulligan and a provisional ball are completely different.
A mulligan is an informal do-over that is allowed only because the group has agreed to it.
A provisional ball is a ball played under a specific rule when your original ball may be lost outside a penalty area or may be out of bounds. The provisional ball can save time and is governed by the official Rules of Golf.
A provisional ball does not erase the original shot. The rules determine which ball is ultimately in play and what penalties apply.
Should Beginners Use Mulligans?
Mulligans can be useful for beginners during casual rounds if everyone in the group agrees to the same rules.
They can make the game less intimidating and give a new golfer an opportunity to replay an especially poor opening shot.
However, beginners should also spend some time playing without mulligans. Learning how to recover from bad shots is an important part of becoming a better golfer.
Do Mulligans Make You a Better Golfer?
A mulligan itself does not improve your golf swing.
If you always replay a bad shot, you may never learn how to manage the consequences of poor shots or understand how they affect your score.
For practice and improvement, it can be more useful to play the original ball, analyze what happened, and then learn from the result.
There is nothing wrong with using an occasional mulligan for fun, but it should not replace honest feedback about your game.
How to Use Mulligans Fairly in a Casual Round
If you want to include mulligans in a friendly round, keep the system simple.
- Agree before the first tee shot.
- Give each golfer the same number of mulligans.
- Decide whether they can be used only on tee shots.
- Decide whether the first tee has a special breakfast ball rule.
- Make it clear that mulligans are not being used for official scoring.
- Keep the process quick so the round does not slow down.
This avoids most disagreements and keeps the focus on enjoying the game.
Common Mulligan Mistakes
- Using a mulligan without telling the group.
- Taking more mulligans than everyone else.
- Using mulligans after every poor shot.
- Using informal mulligans in a competition that requires official scoring.
- Changing the rules halfway through the round.
- Taking too long to decide whether a shot deserves a do-over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mulligan in golf?
A mulligan is an informal do-over shot that allows a golfer to replay a poor shot, most commonly a tee shot, without counting the original attempt in a casual round.
Is a mulligan an official golf rule?
No. Mulligans are not part of the official Rules of Golf. They are an informal tradition used during casual rounds and certain informal events.
How many mulligans can you take in golf?
There is no official number. The group decides how many mulligans are allowed. One per round is a common informal arrangement, but other formats are possible.
Can you use a mulligan on any shot?
Traditionally, mulligans are used for tee shots. A casual group can create different rules, but those rules should be agreed upon before the round.
Does a mulligan count as a stroke?
In the usual casual interpretation, the original shot is disregarded and the replacement shot becomes the ball you play. However, this is not an official scoring procedure under the Rules of Golf.
What is a breakfast ball in golf?
A breakfast ball is an informal mulligan, usually referring to a second chance on the first tee of the day. It is based on the idea that the golfer may not be fully warmed up yet.
Can you use a mulligan in a golf tournament?
Not when the tournament is being played under the official Rules of Golf unless the event has specifically established an informal format that permits them. Always follow the rules provided by the event.
Final Thoughts
A mulligan is one of the most recognizable informal traditions in golf. It gives golfers a chance to replay a poor shot, usually a tee shot, without carrying the original mistake into the rest of a casual round.
There is no official number of mulligans and no universal set of unwritten rules. The fairest approach is to agree on the rules before playing, give everyone the same opportunities, and keep mulligans limited to the type of casual golf the group has agreed to play.
Most importantly, remember that a mulligan is for fun rather than official scoring. If you are playing competitively or recording a score under the Rules of Golf, use the proper rules instead. For a relaxed round with friends, however, a clearly agreed mulligan rule can make the game more enjoyable without creating confusion.