What Is a Mulligan in Golf?
A mulligan is a do-over: you hit a bad shot, then replay it as if the first one never happened, with no stroke and no penalty counted. It's a casual custom that friendly groups agree on, most often for a poor first tee shot.
Mulligans are not part of the Rules of Golf. In any competition, or any round you want to count for your handicap, every stroke counts.
How mulligans usually work
There's no single standard, so groups set their own house rules before the round. Common versions:
- One per round: each player can take one mulligan at any point.
- One per nine: one on the front nine and one on the back.
- First tee only: sometimes called a breakfast ball, because it's for players who've arrived without warming up.
- Tee shots only: no mulligans from the fairway or on the green.
- You must play the second ball: once you take the mulligan, the replay counts even if it's worse.
The last point is the one people argue about most, so agree on it at the start.
Mulligan vs provisional ball vs stroke and distance
Beginners often confuse a mulligan with the official ways of hitting again. They're very different.
| Term | In the Rules? | Does the first shot count? | When it's used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulligan | No | No, it's ignored | Any bad shot, by friendly agreement |
| Provisional ball | Yes | Yes, with a penalty if the first ball is lost or out of bounds | When your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds |
| Stroke and distance | Yes | Yes, plus one penalty stroke | Lost ball, out of bounds, or as a relief option |
If your tee shot heads towards trees or out of bounds, the correct move under the Rules is to announce and hit a provisional ball. If the first ball is found in bounds, you carry on with it. If not, the provisional becomes your ball in play, and that second tee shot counts as your third stroke. See golf penalty strokes explained for the full picture.
Where the name came from
Nobody knows for sure. The most popular stories involve a golfer called Mulligan in the 1920s or 1930s who was allowed to replay a poor shot, and his playing partners named the extra shot after him. There are competing versions with different men called Mulligan at different clubs, and none has been firmly proven. It's safest to say the term became common in American golf in the middle of the 20th century.
Mulligans in charity golf days
At charity events and corporate golf days, organisers often sell mulligans to raise money, for example a few for a set donation. They usually come with their own rules, such as only usable off the tee, or not on a closest-to-the-pin hole. These events are often played as a scramble, where a mulligan just gives the team one more ball to choose from.
Mulligan etiquette
- Agree before you tee off. Springing a mulligan on your group halfway round causes arguments.
- Don't take one if it holds up play. If the group behind is waiting, a replayed tee shot slows everyone down.
- Never take one in a competition. It's not just bad form: replaying a shot without counting it means your score is wrong.
- Be honest on the card. A round with mulligans can't be posted for a handicap.
Try it in Mashy
In Mashy, mulligans depend on the mode. The Daily course is the strict one: the pins and wind are the same for everyone that day and your first card counts, so there's no replaying a bad round for a better score. Practice mode is the opposite: pick any hole on the selected course and play it as often as you like, which is basically unlimited mulligans with nothing on the line. It's a good place to work out a tricky tee shot before you try the daily. If you're playing with friends, golf challenges for friends has some ideas for house rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mulligan allowed in golf?
Not under the official Rules of Golf. A mulligan is a casual custom that players agree on in friendly rounds. In competitions, or in any round you want to submit for a handicap, every stroke must be counted, so replaying a shot without penalty isn't allowed.
How many mulligans do you get in golf?
There's no set number because mulligans aren't in the Rules. Many groups allow one per round or one per nine holes, often only from the tee. At charity events the number depends on how many you buy. Agree the limit with your group before the round starts.
What is a breakfast ball in golf?
A breakfast ball is a mulligan on the first tee only. The idea is that players arriving without much warm-up get a second chance at their opening tee shot. Like any mulligan, it's an informal custom and not something the Rules of Golf allow in counted rounds.
Is a mulligan the same as a provisional ball?
No. A mulligan ignores the first shot entirely, while a provisional ball is an official procedure used when your first ball might be lost or out of bounds. If the provisional is needed, you count the original stroke plus a one-stroke penalty, so nothing is forgotten.
Can you take a mulligan on a putt?
You can if your group agrees, but most groups limit mulligans to tee shots. Replaying missed putts would make scores meaningless very quickly. In friendly match play, a conceded short putt, or gimme, is the more usual way of being generous on the green.