A mulligan in golf is an informal do-over. A player replays a shot from the same spot as the previous one and simply ignores the bad attempt, adding no penalty stroke. It is a friendly courtesy, not a rule, and it is one of the most widely used pieces of casual golf slang.
Almost every recreational golfer has taken or offered a mulligan. But there is an important catch: while mulligans are a fixture of relaxed weekend rounds, they have no place in the official game. Knowing the difference keeps you on the right side of etiquette and the rulebook.
How does a mulligan work?
A mulligan works by letting a player pretend a shot never happened. Say a golfer badly slices a drive off the first tee. With a mulligan, playing partners allow another tee shot from the same place, and only the second ball counts. The first, poor shot is not recorded on the scorecard.
In practice, mulligans are used most often off the tee, especially early in a round before a player is warmed up. They can technically be applied to any shot, but casual groups usually limit them so play does not slow to a crawl.
Are mulligans allowed in the Rules of Golf?
No. Mulligans are strictly not allowed under the official Rules of Golf written by the USGA and The R&A. The word does not even appear in the rulebook. Under the real rules, every stroke counts, and replaying a shot without the correct procedure and penalty is simply not permitted.
In a sanctioned competition, taking a mulligan can lead to disqualification. If you want to replay from a previous spot for a genuine reason, such as a lost ball, the rules have specific stroke-and-distance procedures that add a penalty. That is very different from a free do-over.
Casual play vs the rules
| Situation | Is a mulligan OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friendly weekend round | Usually yes | Agree limits with your group first |
| Charity scramble | Often yes | Sometimes sold to raise funds |
| Handicap-posting round | No | Scores must follow the rules |
| Official tournament | No | Can cause disqualification |
What is a breakfast ball?
A breakfast ball is a nickname for a mulligan taken on the first tee. The reasoning is that many golfers arrive without a proper warm-up, so friends grant a single free replay to open the round. Like all mulligans, it is a matter of custom among playing partners, not something the rules recognize.
Mulligan etiquette and common variations
Because mulligans are unofficial, groups invent their own conventions, and good etiquette keeps them from slowing play or causing friction. A widely used approach is to allow one mulligan per player for the entire round, or one only off the first tee. Some groups permit a mulligan on each nine, while others restrict them to tee shots so nobody is endlessly replaying chips and putts.
Whatever the format, the golden rule is to settle the terms before the first swing and apply them equally to everyone. It is also considered poor form to take a mulligan when money, a match, or a handicap score is on the line, or to slow the group behind you while replaying shots. Used sparingly and by agreement, a mulligan is a friendly gesture; overused, it undermines the challenge that makes golf rewarding.
Where does the word mulligan come from?
The exact origin is debated, but most stories trace the term to a golfer named Mulligan in the early twentieth century who supposedly replayed an errant shot and gave the do-over his name. Whatever the true source, the word entered casual golf vocabulary and has never left, even though it has never become part of the official rules. Its staying power shows how much recreational golfers value a little forgiveness in a friendly round.
When are mulligans acceptable?
Mulligans are acceptable whenever everyone in the group agrees to them and no official result is at stake. Relaxed social rounds are the classic setting. Charity events and scrambles sometimes even sell mulligans as a fundraiser, letting players buy a set number of do-overs. In these formats the organizers set their own relaxed, non-sanctioned terms.
The key is agreement in advance. Deciding the mulligan rules before you tee off, such as one per player off the first tee, avoids arguments and keeps the round fun and fair for everyone.
Common misconceptions
The biggest misconception is that a mulligan is somehow a real, if minor, golf rule. It is not; it is purely informal. Another is that mulligans are harmless in any setting. Using one while posting a handicap score or in competition undermines the integrity of your record and breaks the rules. Some players also confuse a mulligan with the legitimate stroke-and-distance option for a lost or out-of-bounds ball. That procedure exists in the rules but always adds a penalty stroke, so it is not a free do-over.
Bottom line
A mulligan is a friendly do-over shot replayed without penalty, and it is a beloved part of casual golf. Just remember it is not in the Rules of Golf and has no place in real competition or handicap scoring. Enjoy your breakfast ball on a relaxed Saturday, agree the terms with your group, and leave the mulligans at home when the round actually counts.
Frequently asked questions
Are mulligans allowed under the Rules of Golf?
No. Mulligans are not permitted under the official Rules of Golf established by the USGA and The R&A, and the term is not even in the rulebook. Replaying a shot without penalty in a sanctioned competition is against the rules and can result in disqualification.
What exactly is a mulligan?
A mulligan is a stroke replayed from the same spot as the previous shot, with the first attempt effectively ignored and no penalty added. It is an informal courtesy used in friendly play, most often after a poor tee shot, so a player can try again.
What is a breakfast ball?
A breakfast ball is a common nickname for a mulligan taken on the very first tee of the round. The idea is that a player may not be warmed up yet, so friends allow one free replay to start the day. It is purely a casual custom, not a rule.
Can you take a mulligan in a tournament?
Not in a legitimate, rules-based tournament. Doing so breaks the Rules of Golf and can lead to disqualification. Some charity or scramble events sell mulligans as a fundraiser, but those are relaxed, non-sanctioned formats where organizers set their own local terms.
Where does the word mulligan come from?
The exact origin is debated, with several stories crediting a golfer named Mulligan in the early twentieth century. What is certain is that the term entered casual golf slang for a replayed shot and has stayed there ever since, without ever becoming an official rule.