
- Some golfers limit the use of mulligans to the first tee only, or to the first and 10th tees only.
- Some golfers use one mulligan per nine holes, but anywhere on each nine.
- It's most common for mulligans to be used only off the tee, i.e., you can only use a mulligan to replay a drive. ...
- Less common is allowing mulligans from the rough or out of hazards, but some golfers even do that.
- It is rarer still - rarely seen, in fact - for mulligans to be used on the putting green.
- And some groups allow mulligans from just about anywhere on the golf course, but set a limit - say, three mulligans per round, or nine, or 18.
Should you take a Mulligan in a golf match?
While there are no mulligans in competitive play, taking one or more mulligans is usually fine in a casual round of golf. They're often even agreed upon when making friendly wagers.
Who invented the Mulligan in golf?
There are a variety of stories that look to explain the origin of the mulligan. One popular story attributes Canadian golfer David B. Mulligan as inventing the term. Playing at the Country Club of Montreal in the 1920s, Mulligan re-teed and hit another ball after a poor shot.
What is a mulligan?
There are multiple theories, however. Mulligans can be called by several other names: "mullie," for short, and synonyms include Sunday ball and lunch ball.
Can you use a Mulligan from the fairway?
Some golfers limit the use of mulligans to the first tee only, or to the first and 10th tees only. Some golfers use one mulligan per nine holes, but anywhere on each nine. It's most common for mulligans to be used only off the tee, i.e., you can only use a mulligan to replay a drive. However, some groups allow mulligans from the fairway, too.

Are mulligans allowed in golf?
A mulligan is a second chance to perform an action, usually after the first chance went wrong through bad luck or a blunder. Its best-known use is in golf, whereby it refers to a player being allowed, only informally, to replay a stroke, although that is against the formal rules of golf.
How many mulligans are allowed in golf?
It is rarer still - rarely seen, in fact - for mulligans to be used on the putting green. And some groups allow mulligans from just about anywhere on the golf course, but set a limit - say, three mulligans per round, or nine, or 18.
How do you play mulligans in golf?
To use a mulligan, Player A would first hit a shot and not be pleased with the result. After the shot's result is known, Player A can immediately call for a mulligan, if available, and use it to hit the shot again. To use a recall, Player A would first hit a shot and be pleased with the result.
Should you take mulligans?
However, if shenanigans by your fellow players results in a lousy shot, a mulligan is almost implicitly allowed. Catcalling during the backswing, interfering with another player's lie, or otherwise impeding on a golfer's ability to make a focused swing are all fair reasons to call mulligan.
What is the mulligan rule?
A Mulligan in golf is a shot which is allowed to be replayed without penalty and as if the first shot had not even happened. Thus if a player is unhappy with a bad shot, he or she can simply repeat it. It is against the rules of golf, but it is used in some social games.
How do you use mulligan?
A mulligan is a stroke in golf that is played from the same spot that a player hit their previous stroke, looking to re-do the prior shot without penalty. In other words, golfers use mulligans to wipe out the previous shot and consider it to have never counted. It's a do-over.
Why do they call it a mulligan?
Theory: 'Mulligan' Is Named After a Golfer Mulligan probably originated when the golf do-over was christened mulligan after the name of a golfer who kept replaying shots. That's the most likely explanation, and according to Occam's Razor the simplest explanation is more likely to be the true one.
Why is it called a mulligan in golf?
According to this version, the term was named after a locker room attendant at the club named John A. 'Buddy' Mulligan, who worked at the club during the 1930s and was known for replaying shots, particularly on the first tee.
What is a Mulligan in Golf?
In golf, a "mulligan" is a do-over or second chance at a shot with no penalty during a casual round of play. Usually, mulligans are reserved for spectacularly poor shots off the tee.
When to Take a Mulligan
New golfers and golfers with high handicaps in general often struggle to keep the ball in play when hitting off the tee for a variety of reasons.
Check with Your Group Before Taking a Mulligan
Before taking a mulligan, make sure that the other players in your group don't mind. Often, they'll even offer you the option.
Don't Take Too Many Mulligans
While most golfers will be okay with you taking the occasional mulligan, you definitely don't want to be taking one on every other tee.
A Mulligan is Not a Golf Rule
"Mulligan" is not an official term as far as the rules of golf are concerned. Mulligans are not allowed in professional play or any amateur competitions abiding by USGA rules.
What is a mulligan in golf?
A mulligan, most simply put, is a "do-over" in golf. Hit a bad shot? Take a mulligan and replay that stroke. Drop a ball on the spot from which you just played, and re-play.
How many mulligans are used in golf?
Some golfers use one mulligan per nine holes, but anywhere on each nine. It's most common for mulligans to be used only off the tee, i.e., you can only use a mulligan to replay a drive.
How many mulligans can you buy at a golf tournament?
If mulligans are for sale at a charity tournament, that means the golfer can buy, say, three mulligans for a set price each. The sale of mulligans is sometimes used as an additional fund-raiser at charitable events.
Is it legal to play mulligans?
Are Mulligans 'Legal'? No. There is never a time, when playing under the Rules of Golf, that a mulligan is "legal.". Mulligans are not allowed under the rules.
Can you use a mulligan on a putting green?
Less common is allowing mulligans from the rough or out of hazards, but some golfers even do that. It is rarer still - rarely seen, in fact - for mulligans to be used on the putting green. And some groups allow mulligans from just about anywhere on the golf course, but set a limit - say, three mulligans per round, or nine, or 18.
Are Mulligans allowed in competitive play?
Mulligans are only used in casual rounds, and not allowed in any type of competitive play.
How do you take a mulligan in golf?
To take a mulligan, what you need is for all players on your side of the hole to agree that they will allow it. You can’t just ask one player if he or she wants to let you have another shot-you have to get everyone on board.
When to take a mulligan
There’s no definitive answer as to when you should take a mulligan. Some golfers might only take one if they really mishit the ball, while others may try to take a mulligan on every hole.
Purpose of a Mulligan
The purpose of a mulligan is to retake a shot you mishit, giving yourself another opportunity to make a good golf shot. It’s not meant to be used as an advantage, but simply as a way to help you get back on track.
How many mulligans can you take?
If you’re playing by the official golf rules, you can not take any mulligans during a round.
When did Mulligans become popular in golf?
Mulligans became popular in golf in the early 1900s. There is no official rule about them in the golf handbook to this date.
What is the History of a Mulligan?
Legend has it that a guy named Mulligan played golf hundreds of years ago and needed to take multiple shots. He would drive a wagon with his friends to the golf course, which meant he was doing all the work and was a bit tired before getting to the course.
What is the Purpose of a Mulligan in Golf?
A mulligan is a correction shot, or a second chance, for a golfer to shoot again without a penalty. Sometimes a lousy shot may happen, so your playing partners might offer you an extra opportunity to correct it.
Are Mulligans Part of Professional Golf Tournaments?
According to the official PGA golf rules, there is no mulligan of any kind during a game. That means that during an official golf tournament, you won’t see any mulligans occur, and whatever the hit was counts as a stroke for the golfer.
What about Using Mulligans During Charity Events?
Sometimes during fundraisers, the tournament might sell mulligans to the participants to raise additional money. For example, a country club might sell you five mulligans for an extra twenty dollars during a round of golf.
When to take a Mulligan in Golf?
Common reasons to take a mulligan in golf include taking a lousy tee shot, losing the golf ball in the woods or water, on a putt attempt, a shot that lands in the bunker, or just a poor shot on the green. The redo shot allows golf buddies to enjoy being out on the green without the stress of a bad shot to ruin the day.
How Many Mulligans Can you Take in Golf?
The number of mulligans allowed on the golf course depends on the event. For example, charities might offer five mulligans over nine holes for an additional charge of the money. With that being the case, you have a few extra free shots to take during the event if you choose.
How Do you Score a Mulligan in Golf?
Since mulligans are not in the rules of golf, taking one during a game is more out of good sport than anything else. That means taking a mulligan means you redo the shot, and you don’t mark it as anything on the scorecard. Players could tally up mulligans if they want on a scorecard, but most just let it act as a redo and nothing more.
What Is the Origin of the Mulligan?
The origin of the mulligan in golf is one steeped in folklore with several origin stories. However, two stand out as the most credible and both stories include men with the last name Mulligan.
How Does a Mulligan Work in Golf?
Taking a mulligan is pretty simple. If your first attempt at a shot fails miserably, grab another ball and place it exactly like the first one and try again.
What Are the Rules for a Mulligan in Golf?
Mulligans tend to operate in the gray area of the game of golf. It is an unwritten rule in the game and mulligan rules are established on a case-by-case basis among playing partners. However, there are some basic guidelines to follow should mulligans be included in your next round of golf.
Are Mulligans Included in the Rules of Golf?
The Rules of Golf don’t allow for the use of mulligans. The Rules of Golf explicitly say the ball must be played as it lies and every stroke must count unless a specific provision under the Rules allows for any exceptions.
Is it Ok to Take a Mulligan Anytime?
It’s OK to take a mulligan anytime only if the mulligan rules for the round of golf say so. Mulligans are most commonly used only on the first tee of the first hole during the first shot of the round.
How Many Mulligans Are Golfers Allowed to Take?
Typically, golfers are only allowed to take one mulligan per round unless the group agrees that more mulligans can be used. One thing to consider if golfers are allowed to take as many mulligans as necessary is that it will drastically slow the pace of play for the round.
When Can You Take a Mulligan in Golf?
The most common and accepted place to take a mulligan is on the tee box of the first hole of the round. The underlying thought here is that as the golfer progresses through their round they should be better able to navigate the golf course and accept the results of the swings as they come.
What is a mulligan in golf?
A mulligan in golf is a special occurrence offering you a second chance to clear your psyche, alleviate stress, save your sanity, and bolster self-esteem. The reverse of a mulligan is a “ gilligan ” whereby your opponent can request you to replay a successful stroke.
When to allow a mulligan?
A good guide for allowing a mulligan is when a golfer drives his tee shot off the first tee out of bounds. Mulligans can make things more enjoyable for some but allowing too many mulligans can strip the stakes and enjoyment of the game for competitive-minded players.
Why did Mulligan get an extra shot?
A second version has the extra shot given to Mulligan due to his being jumpy and shaky after a difficult drive over the Victoria Bridge to the course. A third version is that he was given an extra shot after he overslept and then rushed to get ready to make the tee time.
What are some alternatives to the must mulligan?
The alternatives are: The must mulligan – Irrespective of the outcome of your mulligan you MUST play the ball from where it ends up. If the ball is in a worse position, you still have to play the second shot. The provisional mulligan – This will offer you a choice of whether you want to play the original shot or the mulligan.
Where did the term "mulligan" come from?
The origins of the term mulligan are unclear but there are a few theories. According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), it is named after a Canadian golfer who played out of the Country Club of Montreal during the 1920s, David B. Mulligan (1869-1954). The exact circumstances are unknown but the 3 possibilities ...
Can you use a mulligan in a friendly game?
This practice in casual play can speed up play and reduce the time used for searching for a lost ball. All members of the group must unanimously agree to the use of mulligans before you can call for a mulligan.
Do you need a mulligan for a round?
Alternatively, practice harder and get into a position where you do not need a mulligan.
What Is a Mulligan In Golf?
The easiest way to describe a mulligan in golf is simply to refer to it as a do-over. When a golfer takes a mulligan he or she simply forgets about his last shot and takes another shot from the same position.
How many mulligans are allowed in golf?
The real answer to this question is zero. If you were attempting to play a round of golf that abides the rules then you will find that you are not allowed to take mulligans at all.
Are mulligans ever legal in golf?
The only times mulligans are ever legal in golf is if you are playing in a tournament that specifically allows them. Under typical golf rules there are no situations where mulligans are allowed.
Can I Use Mulligans In My Handicap?
No, if you are playing a round and are looking to include it in your handicap then you will not be able to use any mulligans. By doing this you would be artificially lowering your score and handicap.
Where Does Mulligan In Golf Come From?
There are several stories which claim to be the birth place of the term “mulligan” the none have been fully verified.
How to sell mulligans at a golf tournament?
One interesting way to earn some more money or raise money for charity at your golf tournament is buy selling mulligans.
Conclusion Understanding Mulligans In golf
We hope you enjoyed our guide to understanding mulligans in golf. If you have any questions about mulligans in golf or anything else we’ve included in our article we encourage you to reach out in the comments below.
