Golf’s 5 Mulligan Rules You MUST Know Before Taking One
It can be tempting to take a mulligan in golf, but you should know these five mulligan rules first
Do you take mulligans on the golf course?
More than half the golfers in the United States admit to bending the Rules in one way or another, and it’s safe to say that mulligans are a huge part of that rule-bending.
According to YourDictionary.com, a mulligan is defined as “In informal play, a second shot given to a golfer as a substitute for a poorly played shot, for which the golfer is not charged an additional stroke.”
Golf Mulligan Rules
In no way whatsoever are mulligans legal in golf. That, of course, can’t and shouldn’t necessarily stop players from using them, when the situation is appropriate. So here are golf’s five mulligan rules you must know before you even consider taking one.
1. USGA Rule on Mulligans
This is important, so we’re going to repeat it. The USGA does not allow mulligans. But as the saying goes, you have to know the rules to break the rules, so before we even discuss taking mulligans, let’s set the record straight on the proper USGA Rules.
The Rules of Golf allow you to replay a stroke from the spot of your previous stroke at any time for one penalty stroke. The only difference between doing this and taking a mulligan is how many strokes you add to your score.
When you factor in the first stroke you made from that spot, playing by the Rules of Golf adds two strokes to your score compared to taking a mulligan.
2. Handicap or Mulligans: Choose Only One
If you keep a golf handicap, whether it’s an official index through the USGA or you use a free app to track it, it’s time to say goodbye to mulligans.
Scores reported to official handicaps must be played by the Rules of Golf, which we just established don’t make room for mulligans.
Even if you only keep an unofficial handicap, it’s worth asking yourself what the purpose of that is if you’re only keeping a legitimate score when it’s not painful to do so.
3. If Something’s at Stake, Count All Your Strokes
Are you noticing a theme here? If you stand to win something, whether it’s a couple dollars from your buddies, a golf tournament, or anything else, then mulligans shouldn’t help determine who wins or loses. The bottom line is, when something’s at stake, it’s time to put a hard stop on mulligans.
4. Milestones & Mulligans
Nobody wants to come home from a great day on the golf course and report that they broke a milestone for the first time, then add the caveat “with two mulligans.”
If you’re approaching a milestone – hopefully breaking 100 because if you’re shooting in the low 90s, you don’t need mulligans – you should hit that target without any caveats.
The same rule applies for your lowest round ever. If your current “lowest round ever” includes some mulligans sprinkled in, consider logging some mulligan-free rounds and setting a new bar. Keeping a clean scorecard is a way better way to track your progress than shooting your lowest round ever, with four mulligans, then matching that number with only three mulligans the next week.
5. Discuss Mulligans Before the Round
Sure, we’ve just argued pretty hard against mulligans, but there is a time and a place for using mulligans appropriately. Assuming you aren’t keeping a USGA handicap, competing in a tournament or playing with money on the line, it’s fine to ease the pressure by allowing mulligans.
The best way to approach this is to agree with your group on the first tee if you’ll allow mulligans, and set the parameters.
Some groups allow one mulligan per side, some stipulate that mulligans must be used on tee shots, and some groups allow a breakfast ball (a mulligan taken on the opening tee shot) plus a set number of mulligans.
Pick the parameters that fit your preferences the best, and agree on them with your group.
Mull it Over
At the end of the day, golf is supposed to be fun. If taking mulligans here and there is more fun than tallying every last stroke, then by all means, do it. Just consider the circumstances we outlined above before you do.