What is a mulligan in golf, and when to use it?

A mulligan in golf is what golfers call a “re-do”. If a mulligan is used, a player can hit from the same spot they did on the previous shot without penalty. They will then take the result of the second shot and continue as if nothing happened.

Personally as an a avid golfer, I think mulligans can be okay but used only in certain situations. In this article I will cover the history of the mulligan in golf, when you should use a mulligan, when you shouldn’t use a mulligan, and what consequences they have on your game.

What is a Mulligan?

A mulligan in golf is the ultimate “re-do”. A player will re-hit a bad shot from the same spot and their score will not be affected.

In all aspects of golf this is illegal. However, not all golfers are at the golf course to meticulously count their score. Some golfers will allow themselves several mulligans throughout a round just to negate the terrible shots and have more fun.

Origins and History of Mulligans

The famous term “Mulligan” can be traced back to the city of Montreal, Quebec, less than a mile from where I grew up!

There are many different versions of the story but the one that has stuck with me the most is that John ‘Buddy’ Mulligan used to drive all his buddies to the course when they played. As a thank you, his playing partners would allow him to “re-do” some of his bad shots. 

This ended up turning into a “Mulligan” as that was his last name and they were made for him and him only.

The use of mulligans may have started out only for Buddy, but found its way to becoming a huge part of recreational golf. So much so, that when friends ask me what score I shot on a round they weren’t present for, often their follow up question to my score will be, how many mulligans?

The term has grown so much that it’s even found its way into many other sports. You can even hear people say it in terms of things that happen in their life. It has become the universal term for a re-do!

When and How Mulligans Are Used in Golf

Before I break down the best ways to use mulligans, I want to be clear that the best way to play golf is to never take mulligans and always play by the rules. This will allow you honest scores and help you get better naturally. 

However, not everybody’s goal is to become a scratch golfer. Some players just want to have fun. If hitting bad shots generally tends to ruin your round, like it does for most players, taking a mulligan might be best just to keep you having fun and enjoying your round. Just make sure you keep the pace of play and no one is waiting for you to hit your second shot.

If you prefer to play with mulligans, setting a certain amount per round might be a great compromise between getting accurate scores and protecting your enjoyment.

For example, when I started playing golf I would allow myself 1 mulligan per 9 holes. This allowed me to be a little less stressed being able to erase a really bad shot from my memory. Now that I am currently attempting to calculate my handicap accurately and create content, I no longer allow myself any mulligans.

Although mulligans are not allowed in any professional golf setting, some charity tournaments will allow them. For example, a charity event may allow you to purchase mulligans through donation. $100 donated equals one mulligan for your 4-some.

Wherever you intend to use mulligans, always ask your playing partners before you do so. Some groups won’t care and others would like to pick up the pace and just have you move through the hole if it doesn’t matter anyway.

A great way to keep mulligans at a reasonable amount is to discuss a set amount before the round starts with your playing partners. Everyone will appreciate this and you can kick off the first tee without care.

Fun fact: A mulligan off the first tee box is also reffered to as a “breakfast ball”.

Rules and Etiquette of Mulligans

When to Use a Mulligan

Since mulligans are not an official rule of golf, things can get wildly out of hand.

An amazing rule of thumb that can make mulligans easier for everyone is to only take them off the tee on par 4 and par 5 holes. There’s is nothing that irritates me more than when I see someone taking a mulligan from near on on the green. You don’t need a mulligan, you need to get better.

I have also seen players call a mulligan but hit the ball from where their shot landed and just not count the first one. That’s not even a mulligan, that’s just straight up cheating. Avoid this at all costs.

If you must use a mulligan, always make sure it’s okay with your playing partners and announce it. Again, the best way is to just play the game without mulligans.

WARNING: If you use many mulligans per round, please do the Golf world a favor and never brag about your score!

Limitations and Agreements

If mulligans are to be used, make sure to discuss it with your playing partners beforehand. If you’re playing partners say they would rather not play with any mulligans, it will be best if you refrain from using any. However, in most cases it will be up to you.

A great way is to assign a set amount of mulligans per 9. I still know may golfers that will use one mulligan per nine only off the tee if needed. This is the best way to do it in my opinion. Two re-dos off the tee will barely slow down pace of play and keep everyone happy.

Mulligans vs. Provisional Shots and Penalty Strokes

A mulligan can commonly be mistaken as the same as a provisional shot.

A provisional shot is an official rule that allows a player to hit a second shot if they aren’t sure weather or not there first shot has landed in play or will be findable within 3 minutes of searching for it. If their first ball isn’t in play, the second ball becomes the ball in play. However, it comes with a stroke and distance penalty and they would know be laying 3 (three shots total before the next shot) and hitting 4 from where their second ball landed.

The difference with the mulligan is that a player would not apply the stroke and distance penalty and just play it as laying 1 hitting two on that second ball.

If you’re confused about what a provisional is, read my full article on Rule 18.3.

Impact on Gameplay

Strategic Use of Mulligans

Beginner golfers can benefit from the use of mulligans. For example, when I started out golfing, me and a buddy of mine, would always allow ourselves to use one mulligan per 9-holes and only off the tee box.

This allowed us to build confidence during the early days and not have to play the really bad drives. It makes a big difference when you’re starting out but does not hinder your progress as much as unlimited mulligans. If you just take random mulligans whenever you hit a bad shot, you actually never pay the price of a bad shot and only play the ball in prime conditions.

A bad shot that requires a drop out of a hazard in some thick rough will teach you two things; how to play the shot and to be more careful with shot and club selection when hazards are near. If you just reload with a mulligan everytime, you miss out on the exact lessons that make you a better golfer.

A saying I’ve said quite often and has stood the test of time watching all my friends start golfing is “Cheating is the leading cause of bad golfers.”

Golf isn’t only played from the fairway and green, it’s played all over the course and in some cases terrible situations. Playing those shots as they lie will undoubtedly make you a better golfer.

If you’re going to use mulligans, I’d suggest doing one per 9-holes only off the tee.

Balancing Fun and Fairness

If you are going to use mulligans because you figure it’s not that serious, here’s some good advice to make sure you don’t over do it.

If you are playing with a group of golfers who don’t like to wait and don’t want to play a 5 hour round (most golfers) don’t make a habit of using multiple mulligans per hole. If you are still very poor at golf, pick up the ball after a few mishits and head to the green to putt with everyone else. Don’t even count your score. Use it as practice.

If you are good enough to finish each hole with a score below 10, maybe one or two per 9 holes can be acceptable. Don’t slow down the pace of play for others as each time you reload for a mulligan it’s more time another player waits to hit their own ball.

If by chance you happen to compete with a fellow golfer for bragging rights, make sure you discuss if a mulligans is to be used. Normally, if there is anything at stake, players don’t use mulligans.

Conclusion

In the end, mulligans come down to one thing: what type of golf you’re trying to play.

If you’re keeping a handicap, competing against friends, or trying to see real improvement in your game, you should avoid mulligans altogether. Golf is hard, and learning how to recover from bad shots is a huge part of becoming a better player.

On the other hand, if you’re out for a casual round with friends and a mulligan helps keep the round enjoyable, there’s nothing wrong with using one here and there. Just be respectful of your playing partners, keep up the pace of play, and don’t pretend a round with five mulligans was the round of your life.

Personally, I think the best compromise is one mulligan per 9 holes and only off the tee. It gives newer golfers a little breathing room without completely removing the challenge that makes golf rewarding.

At the end of the day, golf is supposed to be fun. Whether you play every shot by the book or allow yourself the occasional re-do, just make sure everyone in the group is on the same page and enjoy your time on the course.