I recall the first time that I heard a golfer say, Simply take a mulligan. I was standing there with my 7-iron in my hand when my ball dunked into a clump of trees. The only golf lesson I had ever had, being in the situation, I felt like smiling, although I had no idea what that meant. On the inside, however, I was angry that I could not learn this game when I did not even know the lingo. I am not a very technical or advanced golfer, and, like many golfers (especially amateurs), I was not seeking technical terminology or sport-tour recommendations.
I simply wanted to have a ball without having the impression that every poor shot characterized my entire round as well. That’s when I realized: understanding the small, often unspoken rules, like what a mulligan in golf truly is, can make a big difference in how much fun you have.
Come on, nobody Googles. What is a Mulligan in golf, unless they don’t hit a golf shot so horrible it made one wonder whether their life decisions are worth considering. It is your first time playing, or maybe you are simply fed up with having to be the only one who does not think that this is funny when your friend kindly tells you, Take another swing. One way or another, you are not alone. Golf is a game of making people humble, and there are times when you just want to bend a few rules to make it worth the time to play it again.
When I first got into golfing, one term that caught me off guard was a mulligan. It sounded more like a snack than something related to the game. But after a few frustrating rounds, I quickly understood its value. A mulligan is a second chance, a replay of a shot after a poor stroke, often used in casual or charity games. This isn’t something you’ll see in a strict competition, where taking one could lead to serious repercussions or even being disqualified. But in a friendly round, especially among amateur players, it’s a way to incorporate some forgiveness into the game and improve the overall play.
If the golf ball gets lost, or the weather creates an Act of God situation, like a sudden gust causing odd spin, a correction shot can make the game feel smoother and keep it speeding along. The real advantage is that all players can stay in rhythm without searching for a ball or dwelling on a bad shot. However, there’s a clear stipulation that everyone must agree to playing with Mulligans before the round begins. I’ve seen a player call for one mid-round without group consent, and it was nearly called a violation. So while the term may seem straightforward, how it’s used in golf depends on the setting, agreement, and the origin of fair play among players.
Where Does The Mulligan Fit Into The Game of Golf?
If you’ve spent time around golfers, you’ll notice some are real sticklers for the rules. In golf, the rule is simple: the ball must be played exactly where it lies. No adjusting the area, no improving your line of play, even if the golf ball is buried in the rough or stuck in a tree root. I’ve had my fair share of tricky lies where making a shot felt nearly impossible, especially after an atrocious tee shot that landed terribly. While the official rules of golf don’t mention the Mulligan, many golfing circles treat it as an unofficial rule, especially in friendly games with buddies. If everyone agrees, a replay can save you from the bad fortune of a weather spike, a nervy swing, or just plain unlucky execution. It’s one of those quiet exceptions that some officials may even implement on a case-by-case basis in charity or casual events.
The origin of the term “Mulligan” has multiple stories, each as charming as the last. One tale credits DAVID MULLIGAN, a Canadian golfer from the 1920s who played at Lambert Country Club in Quebec. One story claims he took a correction shot after an array of misfortune, and his fellow players gave him a free shot, a kind of playful tribute to the man. The USGA (short for United States Golf Association) even acknowledges David Bernard Mulligan in its archives. Another version places him on a hair-raising car journey to the course, arriving shaky and on edge, kindly offered an extra shot after missing his first.
A third account says he overslept and showed up late, and his friends let him play without missing tee time. But not all theories are so warm, some say “Mulligan” was once a slur aimed at Irish players populating American golf courses, where they were seen as embarrassingly bad. There’s also mention of JOHN A. MULLIGAN, aka Buddy, a locker room attendant at Essex Fells Country Club in New Jersey in the 30s, who used to practise with professional golfers and once begged his playing partners for a second chance after an awful shot. Whatever the truth, the Mulligan shot is a powerful, cultural fixture many still stand by, regardless of the lack of formal acknowledgment.
How Many Mulligans are Allowed in Golf?
The fact i that there is no official answer to this question, since Mulligans are not included in the rules of official golf. They are not listed in the USGA rulebook, and you most definitely should not be playing around with them if you expect to win in the pro or competitive tournaments. However, in informal golf days and playing social golf, the particular number of Mulligans to be used is usually at the discretion of the group playing together or depends on the house rules of the given event.
From my experience, most casual players will agree to one Mulligan per 9 holes, which usually means two for an 18-hole round. Some groups limit them strictly to the first tee shot of the day, especially for those who’ve had a rough morning or are still loosening up. Others might allow one per side or player, especially if the goal is simply to have fun rather than compete. In charity tournaments, I’ve seen organizers sell Mulligans—literally. You pay a set amount per Mulligan and can use them at your discretion, sometimes with a cap of two or three per round.
The key in all these is that Mulligans only materialize when all are on the same page on how and when they are utilizable. When you take one in the middle of the round without making sure it is okay with the group, you may not be violating a rule, but you are going outside the code of fair play that is part of the unwritten rules of golf. Thus, although there is no standard number of Mulligans, there is a common rule, which is that it should be light, that it should be fun, and that it should be fair.
How Do You Score a Mulligan in Golf?
Making a Mulligan in golf is very easy: you do not. This is because a Mulligan is a do-over and never goes on the scorecard. In case a player hits Mulligan, he will play the identical shot, and the first one is resolved out entirely. The second bullet is what counts now and on and it is like the first shot never took place. Special shame to the Mulligan and hence its appeal as a forgiving practice in mere golf.
Now, from a personal standpoint, I’ve played in dozens of weekend games where someone pulls out a Mulligan after topping their drive or slicing it into the trees. We all smile, let them reset, and no one writes down a penalty. But it’s important to be clear—this kind of scoring flexibility is only acceptable in non-competitive rounds. If you’re playing in any event that uses official scoring or involves handicaps, then a Mulligan simply isn’t part of the game.
During charity scrambles, club fundraisers are not unusual to find the organizers offering Mulligans as entry benefits, bought in the form of tokens. There are no added or recorded strokes even when one is used. It is just all fun and flow. Which just goes to say that when you are playing a relaxed round with friends, just remember to do some ground rules of play, Mulligans and all, and to have the freedom of knowing that your most terrible shot may just have to be forgotten before it even hits the scorecard.
Strategic Use of Mulligans: Fun or Foul?
Being utilized intelligently, a Mulligan will bring exactly the right kind of cheer and forgiveness to a golf game. Confused, because the border between the friendly strategy and foul play is quite thin, and I experienced both parties in the course of my life. The idea is that a Mulligan is a second opportunity, usually after a terrible tee shot or a lucky breeze that can destroy a fantastic swing. The convention behind it is informal, fun-loving, and it is aimed at keeping the game fun. However, it can radically change the nature of the game when the players begin using the Mulligans as strategic elements, such as re-attempting any poor approach shot or setting up two putts on the green.
In a friendly round with buddies, taking a Mulligan after shanking your opening drive is almost expected. Everyone laughs it off, and the game goes on. But when players start saving their Mulligans for crucial holes or using them to intentionally erase poor decisions, it raises eyebrows. I’ve been in matches where one player took multiple second chances while conveniently forgetting to mention them. Needless to say, it didn’t feel like fair play. So, is using a Mulligan strategic? Sure, it can be. But if you’re keeping score seriously or comparing rounds, it crosses into foul territory the moment it gives one player an unfair edge.
The best approach? Before the tee-off, it is agreed upon: the number of Mulligans allowed, when they are allowed, and what they are not allowed to be. Then everybody is on the same page and spirit of the game, fun, challenge, and honesty are not lost.
What Is The Difference Between A Mulligan And A Handicap In Golf?
This is one of the questions I heard several times already when talking to the new players, and this is a fine one, as by all means, although both Mulligans and handicaps are used to make the game a fairer or more entertaining experience, they work in absolutely different ways. Take it this way: a handicap is ingrained into the scoring mechanism, whereas a Mulligan is an informal second. One is part of golf’s official structure; the other is more like a gentleman’s agreement. I’ve laid out the key differences in the table below to help you see them clearly:
Aspect | Mulligan | Handicap |
Definition | A do-over shot that replaces a poor one without penalty | A numerical measure of a golfer’s ability relative to par |
Formality | Informal; not part of official golf rules | Officially recognized and governed by golf associations |
Usage | Used in casual games, friendly rounds, or charity events | Applied in both casual and competitive play to level the scoring field |
Purpose | Offers a second chance on a bad shot without consequence | Adjusts scores so players of varying skill can compete fairly |
Scoring Impact | Original shot is not counted; Mulligan replaces it | Adjusts final score based on course difficulty and player's skill |
How It's Agreed Upon | Must be agreed upon by all players before the round | Calculated using official formulas and maintained through score history |
Examples | Re-teeing after a bad drive; re-hitting a chunked iron | A 12-handicap golfer gets extra strokes on specific holes vs. a scratch player |
When It's Used | Usually at the first tee or limited to 1–2 times per round | Always factored into every round when playing with handicaps |
Final Thought
There’s something special about an early Sunday morning on the golf course with friends, the kind of round that’s less about competition and more about the sport being relaxing, full of humour, and rooted in sportsmanship. In these moments, Mulligans help keep the game light and stress-free, offering an extra shot to replace a poor one. While professional tournaments don’t allow them, many amateurs find value in using one when stuck in a tricky situation.
I’ve often seen a group quietly agree before the commencement of play to allow one or two Mulligans, especially when someone hits a bad shot. Just being able to ask for one can make the round more enjoyable. Though the exact origin of the Mulligan may remain unclear, its place in golfing culture is well-played out. It’s a re. A reminder that golf, at its heart, should be a relaxed, human game.
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