I Took My First Mulligan in 1984, and My Playing Partner Said It Was "Against the Rules"—Then He Took One on the Next Hole
Now hold on a second. If you've ever heard a golfer say "I'm taking a mulligan" and wondered if that's a real rule or just something they made up, you're not alone. I was confused the first time I heard it, too. I was 16, playing with my cousin Bobby at a little nine-hole course outside Beckley, and I topped my first tee shot about thirty feet. Bobby looked at me and said, "Take a mulligan, Buck." I stared at him. "A what?" He explained it was a do-over, not in the rulebook, but accepted among friends. I hit again, much better, and from that day on, the mulligan became my favorite non-rule in golf. So let me explain it to you, plain and simple, the way Bobby explained it to me—no rulebook, no judgment, just the truth about golf's most beloved mulligan.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Earl Buck Hatfield. I've been playing golf in Beckley since 1982, and I've taken and granted more mulligans than I can count. I know exactly when they're acceptable, when they're not, and how to avoid the awkwardness of asking for one at the wrong time. I'm not a rules official, and I won't pretend the mulligan is part of the official rulebook—it's not. But it's a beloved part of casual golf, and understanding it will make you a better playing partner and a more relaxed golfer. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for not knowing what a mulligan is. I didn't either, and I still smile when I think about Bobby explaining it to me.
What a Mulligan Actually Is
A mulligan is an unofficial do-over—a second chance to hit a shot, usually a tee shot, without counting the first one. It's not in the official Rules of Golf, and you'd never use it in a tournament or a serious match. But in casual rounds with friends, family, or charity scrambles, the mulligan is a time-honored tradition. The most common mulligan is on the first tee: if you hit a terrible drive, you tee up another ball and hit again, and the first shot doesn't count. Some groups allow one mulligan per nine holes, or one per round, or even one per hole if the mood strikes. It's all informal, and the rules are whatever your group agrees on. The name's origin is a bit of a mystery—some say it comes from a golfer named David Mulligan, who took a second shot after a bad drive in the 1920s. I don't know if that's true, but I like the story. For a deeper dive into the actual rules of the game, check out Maya's golf rules for beginners guide. And if you want to know how mulligans fit into a scramble, read my what is a scramble in golf article—mulligans and scrambles go together like biscuits and gravy.
When a Mulligan Is Acceptable (And When It's Not)
Here's the simple truth, from forty years of casual play around Beckley. A mulligan is acceptable when your group agrees to it beforehand, or when someone offers it freely. It's not acceptable to demand one, to take one without asking, or to count it as a real score. If you're playing with strangers and you hit a bad first shot, the polite move is to say, "Mind if I take a mulligan?" Most people will say yes, especially if you're a beginner. If they say no, just play the bad shot and move on—no hard feelings. I've been on both sides, and the key is to keep it light. A mulligan is supposed to make the game more fun, not start an argument. If you're playing in a league or any event with a cash pot, mulligans are usually off the table. I learned that the hard way when I took a mulligan in a league night and got a gentle but firm correction from the organizer. Read Maya's golf etiquette for beginners guide for more on the unwritten rules of the game. And remember, the mulligan is a gift, not a right. If someone offers you one, take it with a smile. If they don't, don't take it personally. That's the mulligan way.
Three Things Beginners Often Get Wrong About Mulligans
I've seen plenty of newcomers make the same mistakes with mulligans, and I've made a few myself. Here are three to avoid.
1. Thinking it's a real rule. The mulligan is not in the official rulebook, and if you try to use it in a tournament or a handicap round, you'll be breaking the rules. I've had beginners tell me they "used their mulligan" during a league match, and I had to explain why that score didn't count. The fix is simple: keep mulligans for casual rounds with friends. If you're unsure, ask. A quick "Are we playing mulligans today?" will clear it up before anyone tees off. I ask that at every casual game now, and it saves a lot of confusion.
2. Taking too many mulligans. One mulligan is a friendly gesture; six mulligans is a different game altogether. I've played with guys who took a mulligan on every hole, and it stopped being fun for the rest of us. The fix is to set a limit before you start—one per nine, or one per round—and stick to it. I'm partial to one on the first tee only, because it gives you a fresh start without slowing down the round. If you want to improve your tee shots so you don't need mulligans, check out Maya's driver guide. It'll help you hit better drives and maybe skip the mulligan altogether.
3. Not bringing extra balls for your mulligan. This sounds silly, but it happens. You hit a bad shot, declare a mulligan, and then realize you don't have another ball teed up. I've seen beginners fumble through their bag while the group waits. The fix is simple: keep an extra ball in your pocket, especially on the first tee. I always have a spare in my left pocket, and if I need a mulligan, it's ready to go. If you need balls, here's a search for beginner golf balls on Amazon. If your budget's tight, DHgate has cheaper balls with slower shipping—order ahead so you're never caught without a spare. I've bought balls by the dozen for years, and I've never regretted having extras. They're the cheapest insurance in golf.
What to Do When Someone Offers You a Mulligan
When someone offers you a mulligan, the correct response is simple: smile, say thanks, and hit another ball. Don't argue, don't decline out of pride, and don't take three mulligans in a row. I've seen beginners refuse a mulligan out of embarrassment, and then spend the rest of the round frustrated with their original bad shot. A mulligan is a friendly gesture, and accepting it is part of the game's give-and-take. I've taken hundreds of mulligans, and I've offered twice as many. It's a small kindness that makes the day better for everyone. If you're playing with a group that's serious about scoring and no mulligans are allowed, just play by their rules and keep your mulligan for another day. The goal is to enjoy the round, not to win the argument. If you want to know more about how to be a good playing partner, read Maya's etiquette guide—it covers all the unwritten rules, including mulligans. And if you want to practice your first tee shots so you need fewer mulligans, check out my swing basics guide and Earl's warm-up guide. A good warm-up is the best mulligan preventer I know.
Red flags that mean you're using mulligans wrong:
🚩 You're taking a mulligan in a league or tournament. That's against the rules, and it won't end well.
🚩 You're taking more mulligans than your group agreed on. You'll annoy your playing partners and slow down the round.
🚩 You're not asking before taking a mulligan. Always get the group's approval, even if it's just a nod and a smile.
🚩 You're using a mulligan to replace a good shot because you think you can do better. Mulligans are for bad shots, not greed. I've seen that, and it's bad form.
If you catch any of these, just reset. Apologize if needed, and adjust. The mulligan is supposed to be fun. Don't let it become a source of tension. I've been playing for forty years, and I've never seen a mulligan ruin a round—unless someone abused it. So be a good sport, and the mulligan will treat you right.
What to Do Once You've Taken Your First Mulligan
The first time you take a mulligan and stripe a better drive down the middle, you'll understand why the tradition has lasted for a century. It's a small second chance that can turn a terrible start into a confident round. I remember my first mulligan—it was a cold morning, and I hit a weak tee shot into the wet grass. Bobby handed me a ball and said, "Try again." I did, and I hit it straight and long. That one mulligan set the tone for the whole day, and I've been a believer ever since. If you want to get more confident off the tee so you need fewer mulligans, Maya's driver guide is a great place to start, and my warm-up guide will help you start the round ready to hit good shots. For home practice, check out golf practice at home. And if you need gear like balls or gloves, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to test your new mulligan knowledge on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some friendly fairways. Now go out there, hit a bad first shot, and take that mulligan with a smile. It's the most fun non-rule in golf, and you've earned it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mulligans
What is a mulligan in golf?
A mulligan is an unofficial do-over, usually allowed on the first tee, where you hit a second ball without counting the first shot. It's not in the official Rules of Golf, but it's widely accepted in casual play. The name is said to come from a golfer named David Mulligan, though the true origin is uncertain. I've been taking mulligans for forty years, and they've saved many a round. For the official rules, check out Maya's golf rules for beginners.
Can I use a mulligan in a tournament?
No, mulligans are not allowed in tournaments or any round that counts toward your handicap. They're strictly for casual play with friends or in charity scrambles, where they're often sold as a fundraiser. If you're playing in a serious event, leave the mulligan at home. I've made that mistake once, and I won't make it again. If you're unsure, always ask the organizer before you tee off. For more on tournament formats, read my shotgun start guide and scramble guide.
How many mulligans are allowed in a round?
It depends on your group. The most common allowance is one mulligan per round, usually on the first tee. Some groups allow one per nine holes, and some charity scrambles sell mulligans as a fundraiser. The key is to agree on the rules before you start, so there's no confusion. I like one mulligan on the first tee only—it's enough to forgive a bad start without slowing down the round. If you want to avoid needing mulligans, work on your tee shots with Maya's driver guide.
Is a mulligan the same as a do-over?
Yes, a mulligan is just a do-over, almost always for a tee shot. You hit a bad shot, and you get to hit again without penalty. It's not an official rule, but it's a friendly tradition in casual golf. I've taken more do-overs than I can count, and they've made the game more fun for everyone. If you want to be a good playing partner, always ask before taking one, and never abuse the privilege. For more on course etiquette, read Maya's etiquette guide.
Can I take a mulligan on any shot, or just the first tee?
Traditionally, mulligans are for the first tee shot, because that's the one everyone's nervous about. But some groups allow them on other shots, especially if you hit a truly awful one. The important thing is to agree with your group beforehand, and not to take too many. I've seen mulligans on approach shots, putts, and even bunker shots, but they're less common. If you want to improve your short game so you need fewer mulligans, check out Maya's putting guide and chipping guide. The fewer mulligans you need, the better your game is getting. That's a good thing.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you understand the mulligan, the next step is learning the actual rules and etiquette that make the game fair and fun. Maya's golf rules for beginners guide is a great starting point, and my golf etiquette for beginners guide covers the unwritten rules, including how to handle mulligans gracefully. If you want to play in a tournament where mulligans might be sold as a fundraiser, read my scramble guide and shotgun start guide. And if you need gear like balls or gloves, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to test your mulligan knowledge on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some friendly fairways. Now go out there, hit a bad first shot, and take that mulligan with a smile. It's the most fun non-rule in golf, and you've earned it.