You’ve stepped up to the first tee, feeling confident, took a mighty swing… and the ball slices hard into the woods. A feeling every golfer knows well. Before the frustration can sink in, your friend casually says, "Go on, take another one." So, you tee up a second ball and stripe it straight down the fairway. When you hit a ball and decide to shoot the same shot again, this is referred to as taking a mulligan. This article will explain exactly what a mulligan is, its unofficial status in the sport, the proper etiquette for using one, and, more importantly, how to build a game where you don't need them.
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What Do You Call It When You Hit the Same Shot Twice in Golf? The Mulligan Explained
In golf, that friendly "do-over" shot is called a mulligan. It’s one of the most well-known but widely misunderstood terms in the sport. Simply put, a mulligan is a second attempt at a stroke that is taken without penalty, immediately after the golfer is unhappy with the result of the first shot. You chunked your drive? Take a mulligan. You topped your 3-wood? Maybe take a mulligan. It's an informal practice that allows you to essentially erase a bad shot and try again, hoping for a better outcome.
The term is thought to have originated in the 1920s or 1930s. The most popular story attributes it to a Canadian golfer named David Mulligan. The story goes that after hitting a terrible opening tee shot, he simply teed it up again, claiming he deserved another chance because he was still waking up. His friends good-naturedly called this second attempt a "mulligan," and the name stuck. Whether this specific story is true or just a good piece of golf folklore, the term has become a staple of casual rounds all over the world.
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"Are Mulligans Legal?": The Official Rules vs. a Friendly Match
This is the most important distinction a golfer needs to understand. If someone asks, "When you hit a ball and decide to shoot the same shot again, this is referred to as what in golf?" the answer is a mulligan. But if they ask if it’s allowed by the rules, the answer is a firm no.
Official Rules of Golf (Competition Play)
Under the official Rules of Golf, as governed by the USGA and The R&,A, there is no such thing as a mulligan. The concept simply does not exist. In any formal competition, tournament, or even when just posting a handicap score, you must play the ball as it lies. Every single stroke counts. Hitting a second ball from the tee after a bad first shot would result in a penalty.
If you hit a bad shot in a formal round, you have two choices:
Play the ball from where it ended up. This might mean hitting out of deep rough, punching out of the trees, or trying a difficult recovery shot. This is a fundamental principle of golf.
Take relief under a penalty, according to the rules. For a ball that's lost in the woods or out of bounds, the rule is generally "stroke and distance." This means you add a one-stroke penalty to your score and play your next shot from the same spot as your previous stroke. So, if you hit your tee shot out of bounds, you would add one penalty stroke and hit your third shot from the tee.
Hitting an unrecognized "mulligan" in a competition is a serious breach of the rules that could lead to disqualification.
Mulligans in a Casual Round
On the flip side, mulligans are a common occurrence in friendly, casual rounds where scores don't truly matter. They're used as a way to keep the game fun, help beginners get more comfortable, and speed up play. Nobody wants to spend ten minutes watching a friend search for their ball 1-yard out of bounds from the tee on a packed Saturday morning. In these scenarios, the group might mutually agree to allow them. This, however, is a social agreement, not a golfing rule.
Mulligan Etiquette: Using the "Do-Over" Without Breaking Unspoken Rules
Because there is no official guideline for them, mulligans are governed by unwritten etiquette. Knowing and respecting these boundaries is important for keeping your weekend round friendly and enjoyable for everyone.
The "Breakfast Ball"
This is the most common and widely tolerated form of mulligan. It refers to a mulligan taken only on the first tee shot of the day. The idea is that golfers are often stiff, haven't warmed up properly, and shouldn't be penalized for one rough swing at the very start of the day. Most golfers are perfectly happy to grant a "breakfast ball," but after that tee shot, the game is on, and mulligans are no longer on the table.
Agreed-Upon House Rules
In your regular golf group, you might establish some more "generous" house rules. Common variations include:
One Per Nine: You get one mulligan on the front nine and one on the back nine. This should be announced clearly ("I'm taking my mulligan here!") right after the poor shot.
"Trash" Ball: Any shot that is laughably bad (e.g., a shank that nearly hits someone on the range) or fails to make it past the ladies' tee might be considered worthy of a group-approved mulligan.
Beginner's Rules: When playing with a new golfer, it's common practice to be more lenient, allowing mulligans more freely to help them learn without the immense pressure known to the game.
When to Politely Decline a Mulligan
Knowing when not to take a mulligan is just as important as knowing when you can.
Never on the green: Missing a short putt is part of a golfer's mental game. Taking a "mulligan" on a missed putt just violates the spirit of the game.
If a wager is involved: The second a friendly bet (even for a soda) is on the line, all mulligans should be off the table unless explicitly discussed and agreed upon beforehand.
Don't abuse the privilege: Mulligans are a courtesy. Taking more than the agreed-upon number or using one to try and "save" a great round comes across poorly.
The golden rule is simple: communicate with your playing partners. A quick question like, "Hey, are we taking breakfast balls today?" on the first tee clears the air and sets the tone for a fun, fair round.
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Moving Past Mulligans: How to Really Improve Your Game
As a coach, I see the appeal of a mulligan - it's an instant "undo" button. However, relying on them can hinder your long-term improvement in the game. The real skill in golf isn't avoiding bad shots (even the pros hit them), it's learning how to recover from them.
Understand the Cause, Not Just the Result
When you hit that slice into the trees, your first instinct might be to just reload and swing again. A better approach is to take a breath and think about what happened.
Was it a setup issue? Was your alignment off? Ball position too far back or forward?
Was it poor tempo? Did you rush the swing, trying to hit the ball too hard?
Was it a mental mistake? Were you thinking about the water on the right and subconsciously steering the ball left?
Instead of just mindlessly reswinging, use the bad shot as a piece of feedback. Even if you use the mulligan still, think about one small adjustment you can make for the second ball. This turns a simple "do-over" into a learning opportunity.
Embrace the Scramble
The single greatest skill that separates low-handicap golfers from high-handicap golfers isn't hitting perfect shots - it's damage control. Learning how to navigate a bad lie, punch out of the trees back to the fairway, and save bogey instead of making a triple-bogey is where you’ll see the most significant score reduction.
Every time you feel the urge to take a mulligan, view it instead as a creative challenge. How can you get out of this mess? A low punch shot under the branches? A safe chip sideways? Making these smart decisions and executing a good recovery shot is way more satisfying (and better for your game) than hitting a perfect second drive from the tee.
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So when you hit a ball and decide to shoot the same shot again, that freebie is called a mulligan - a casual tradition that keeps friendly rounds fun but has no place in the official rules. Learning to move beyond them by developing recovery skills and a resilient mindset is the real path to becoming a better golfer.
Knowing how to recover from a bad lie is a huge part of lowering your scores. Instead of just guessing and hoping for the best, Caddie AI gives you an expert caddie’s perspective right in your pocket. You can get an immediate, personalized strategy for any tough situation on the course, so you can make the smartest decision, turn that potential double-bogey into a bogey, and save strokes on your score.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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