What Is a Do-Over in Golf Called?

Ever hit a tee shot so bad it almost misses the ball entirely, only to watch it dribble pathetically ten feet to the side? If your first thought was, Can I just hit that again?, you're not alone. This article will explain exactly what a do-over in golf is called, the rules (both official and unofficial) surrounding it, and how to navigate these situations on the course without slowing down your group.

So, What's a Do-Over Actually Called? (Hint: It’s a Mulligan)

In the common language of golf a "do-over" is called a mulligan. It's a friendly, and entirely unofficial, "second try" on a shot, taken without counting the first attempt or adding a penalty stroke. You simply pretend the bad shot never happened, put another ball down, and play on.

The term is thought to have originated in the 1920s or 30s. One popular story credits a Canadian golfer named David Mulligan, who, after a poorly hit tee shot, impulsively re-teed and hit a second one, calling it a "correction shot." His friends found it amusing and started calling these do-overs "mulligans." Another story points to a locker room attendant named John "Buddy" Mulligan, known for giving himself extra shots while playing with friends. Regardless of the exact origin, the term stuck and has become a household name on golf courses everywhere.

But here's the most important thing to remember: the mulligan is a ghost in the official rulebook. It's a gentlemen's agreement, a social custom, not a right.

The Official Rules vs. The Unwritten Rules: Can You Actually Use a Mulligan?

This is where the game played on the PGA Tour diverges sharply from the one most of us play on a Saturday morning. Understanding the difference is vital for playing with integrity, keeping the pace, and not ruffling any feathers in your group.

The Official Stance: Strictly Forbidden

Let's be perfectly clear: under the official Rules of Golf governed by the USGA and The R&A, mulligans do not exist. The foundational principle of golf is to "play the ball as it lies." There are no do-overs just because you didn't like your shot.

If you were playing in a tournament and hit a terrible tee shot you wanted to "do over," you would have to follow the stroke-and-distance procedure. What does that mean?

• Your original shot counts. (That's 1 stroke)
• You receive a one-stroke penalty. (That's stroke #2)
• You hit again from the original spot. (This will be your 3rd stroke)

So, that "official mulligan" actually costs you two strokes. It's a painful penalty reserved for lost balls or shots hit out of bounds, and a far cry from the freebie second chance we all know and love.

The Unofficial Reality: The Friendly Game Mulligan

Now, let's step back into the real world. In a casual, friendly round of golf that isn't for a handicap score or a tournament, mulligans are a common and often welcome tradition. They keep the game fun and prevent one frustrating shot from souring the whole day. However, using them correctly requires following some unwritten rules of etiquette.

Here’s how to handle mulligans like a seasoned player:

1. Agree Before You Play

The best way to avoid any awkwardness is to set the ground rules on the first tee. A simple question like, "Are we taking a breakfast ball?" or "What's the mulligan situation today?" clarifies everything. Common agreements include:

• The "Breakfast Ball": A mulligan on the first tee shot only. This is the most widely accepted form of a mulligan, a forgiving nod to the fact that you might not be fully warmed up.
• One Per Side: Allowing one mulligan on the front nine and one on the back nine.
• One Per Round: A single get-out-of-jail-free card to be used at any point.

2. Pace of Play is Paramount

This is the golden rule. A mulligan should be quick. If you top your tee shot, just grab another ball, put it on the tee, and swing away. Do not take a long time, go through your full pre-shot routine, or check the wind direction. A mulligan is a favor from your playing partners, not an opportunity to hold up the group behind you. If the course is packed, it’s gracious to skip the mulligan altogether and just play on.

3. Keep it Limited

Even if no formal rules were discussed, don't abuse the privilege. Consistently re-hitting bad shots is poor form. The generally accepted mulligan happens on the tee box. Taking a mulligan on a chunked approach shot from the fairway or a bladed chip by the green is pushing your luck and will get you some sideways glances.

4. Don't Use It for Bets

If there's money on the line, even just a friendly $5 Nassau, all mulligans are off the table unless explicitly allowed for in the wager. Using a "free shot" to win a bet undermines the spirit of the competition.

It’s Not Always a Mulligan: Understanding Other Replay Scenarios

Sometimes you get to re-hit a shot as part of the official rules. Confusing a mulligan with these legitimate situations is a common mistake for newer golfers. Knowing the difference will make you a much more knowledgeable player.

Here are a few instances where you might re-play a shot, but it's not a mulligan.

Taking a "Provisional Ball"

A provisional ball is not a true do-over, but rather a "just in case" shot to save time. Imagine you slice your tee shot deep into the woods. It might be lost, or it might be out of bounds. Instead of spending five minutes searching for it only to have to walk all the way back to the tee to re-hit, you can play a provisional ball.

How it works: You must announce to your partners, "I'm playing a provisional ball." Then, you hit a second shot from the same spot.

• If you find your original ball (and it's in bounds) within the three-minute search time, you must play it. You pick up your provisional ball, and there is no penalty.
• If your original ball is lost or out of bounds, your provisional ball is now in play. You already took your stroke-and-distance penalty, so you lie three (original shot, penalty stroke, provisional shot).

This is a rule designed specifically to maintain a good pace of play, and every golfer should understand how to use it.

When a Shot Genuinely Doesn't Count

There are rare moments in golf where a swing-and-a-miss isn't a stroke, or where you get to replay a shot without penalty.

• Ball Falls Off the Tee: If you're on the tee box and your ball falls off the tee before you make an intentional downswing towards it, there's no penalty. You can just re-tee it. If you accidentally nudge it off while addressing it, same thing.
• No Intent to Strike: If you are taking a clear practice swing and accidentally make contact with the ball, it's generally not considered a stroke if you had no intent to hit it. However, if you make a swing at the golf ball with intent and whiff (miss completely), that's a stroke. Intent is the key factor.
• Outside Influence: If your ball is at rest and is moved by an "outside influence" (like an animal or a ball from another group), you replace the ball to its original spot with no penalty.

Choosing to Replay Under Penalty

Finally, sometimes declaring your ball unplayable and taking the stroke-and-distance penalty (the "official" do-over) is the smartest play. If you've hit your ball into a location so terrible that you risk taking 3 or 4 shots just to get out (think a thorny bush near an OB fence), your best option can be to walk back to where you last hit and replay the shot with a one-stroke penalty. It’s a strategic decision to cut your losses - it’s not a mulligan, but it is a "do-over" in the literal sense.

The Mulligan Mindset: Friend or Foe to Your Game?

As a coach, I have a balanced view of the mulligan. Its value depends entirely on your goals for the day.

The argument FOR the mulligan is that it keeps golf fun. For beginners, it relieves the immense pressure of that first tee shot in front of others. A quick "breakfast ball" can turn a moment of dread into a laugh, setting a positive tone for the rest of the round. It allows you to feel a proper swing and keep moving, rather than heading to the second tee already defeated.

The argument AGAINST the mulligan is that it can become a crutch. Golf isn't about hitting perfect shots, it's about managing your mistakes. Getting good at golf means learning to execute a creative recovery shot from the trees or punch out of thick rough. Constantly taking mulligans robs you of the opportunity to develop that vital part of your game and creates a false sense of your abilities. If you always rely on mulligans, you’ll struggle mentally when you play in a charity scramble or decide to keep an official handicap where they aren't allowed.

My advice? Use the mulligan for what it is - a tool to maximize enjoyment in a casual setting. But don't let it define your game. Every once in a while, play a round by the strict letter of the law, no do-overs. It’s the best way to honestly assess your skills and see where you truly need to improve.

Final Thoughts

So, the next time someone asks about a golf do-over, you'll know it's widely called a mulligan - an informal, but cherished, tradition for friendly rounds. You'll also understand the etiquette for using one, and how it differs from official rules like playing a provisional ball or taking stroke-and-distance relief.

Part of avoiding the need for a mulligan is making smarter, more confident decisions from the start. We believe technology can help bridge that gap. With Caddie AI, you get instant, expert advice right on the course. Instead of wondering which club to hit or what the right strategy is off the tee, you can get a clear recommendation, helping you commit toyour shot with courage and avoid those big mistakes in the first place.