A Mulligan is a private agreement for a casual round: a shot does not count and may be replayed. It is not an official option in a competition or a handicap-counting round.
The word is used casually, but it is important to separate a friendly score from an official result.
What does a Mulligan mean?
A Mulligan gives a player a second chance after a poor shot. The first ball is ignored for the group’s private score, then the player plays again. The group should agree before the round whether Mulligans are allowed and how many.
Does a Mulligan count in a competition?
No. There is no Mulligan in a competition or handicap-counting round. Play continues under the Rules of Golf. When a ball may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds, Rule 18 provides the official procedure.
Use a provisional ball when that procedure applies.
Mulligan or provisional ball?
| Mulligan | Provisional ball |
|---|---|
| Private agreement for a casual round | Official procedure under Rule 18 |
| The first shot is privately ignored | Can save time when a ball may be lost or out of bounds |
| Not used for an official score | Stroke and distance may apply |
Keeping a casual round fair
- Agree on Mulligans before you start.
- Apply the same arrangement to every player.
- Make clear that the score is private, not official.
- Do not use a Mulligan in a competition or handicap score.
The essential point
A Mulligan can be a fair private arrangement when everybody uses it the same way in a casual round. It does not exist for competition or handicap scores.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules, prices or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules, prices or factual information in this guide.
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