How Many Mulligans Are Allowed in Golf?

Written by Todd in Online Golf Instruction

0! By the rules of golf, mulligans are not allowed, even off the first tee.  Some golfers, who might be simply playing golf for fun, will utilize a mulligan to speed up the round or to practice a shot again.

Let’s start off by saying that we believe golf should be fun and enjoyable.

If your main goal is to have fun, enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family or friends through the game of golf, then the amount of mulligans you might take is going to differ from the serious, competitive golfer.

How Many Mulligans Are Allowed in Golf?

My Experience: If you are playing with a large group, typically you get get 0. However, if you are playing a friendly match with a group of 4, you might all agree if people have had limited time due to coming to the course straight from work or other obstacles that the average amateur faces to squeeze in a round of golf!

If a golfer takes a mulligan, they are simply practicing the game vs playing a round of golf.  In a true round of golf, there are no mulligans and the only time the player will rehit would be an out of bounds ball, a ball in a hazard, a lost ball or a provisional.

What is a golf mulligan?

The no mulligan rule should be in place even during friendly rounds of golf when there are side games or money is on the line.  Taking a mulligan when there are others impacted who might not be using a mulligan is bad etiquette and unfair.

Make sure you aren’t the golfer who hits multiple shots on every tee shot.

When Is It Fine To Take A Mulligan?

There are several conditions that must be in place to take a mulligan during a round of golf:

  • You aren’t playing for an official score.
  • The course is not crowded.
  • Others in your group understand what you are doing.

#1: You aren’t playing for an official score

If you are someone that posts scores for a golf handicap or are playing a fun game against others that day at the course, you should not take a mulligan.  However, if you are simply out playing the game for fun that day with 1-2 others in your group and you are practicing, then go ahead and take a mulligan.

#2: The course is not crowded

Golf already has a pace of play issue at many golf courses on the weekends or at busy times.  If you are re hitting several times during a round, you stand the risk of holding up an entire golf course of golfers and irritating the ground behind you.  Everyone has a responsibility to play golf at a pace that is accepted at that course.

#3: Other in your group understand what you are doing

If you have ever been to practice round for a PGA Tour event, you will see most golfers hitting shots from a variety of locations, especially when they get around the green.  They are trying to learn about the course for an upcoming tournament.  If you are playing a round of golf with others in your group who understand that you might hit an extra shot or two, then go ahead, just make sure you aren’t holding up the group behind you!

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Bottom line when playing golf: Have fun, but don’t hold up others!

Golf Mulligans: Don’t Be That Person! 

The person who takes 1-2 mulligans per round or per nine holes and then brags about their score or a mulligan aided birdie that they made. Golf is meant to be played with the ball in play and only playing one shot unless you hit it out of bounds or lose your ball.  Don’t take a timely mulligan and then brag about your score!

How Many Mulligans Is Too Many?

If you are playing in a group, golfers will often establish the rules prior to teeing off on the first hole.  You might hear the following?

  • “Breakfast Ball on #1 if you need it”
  • “1 Mulligan per side”
  • “1 Mulligan total”

While against the rules of golf, once again golf is meant to be fun.  As long as you aren’t holding up the golf course, setting rules like this for your group of golf buddies, who might only play once a week, isn’t a bad idea.  If it helps grow the game of golf and keep players coming back, then even the most serious golf can understand.

It is a good idea to establish the rules, especially if there are several foursomes in your group and you are playing skins, or pin shots, or something that keeps the game interesting for all and has some small money amounts involved.

It becomes too many when you break the rules that have been set or you are holding up the golf course.  Golf is a game played with others a high majority of the time, all golfers should be considerate of their playing partners and not be the irritating golfer because he or she is always re hitting or “practicing” a shot.

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#1: Breakfast Ball on #1

Since many golfers go from parking lot, pay their green fees and then head to the first tee, many groups will be accepting of the breakfast ball on #1.  It is the first shot of the day and the body is not yet loose.  This is often the most acceptable form of a golf mulligan that I have experienced playing social golf.  Of course, if you are someone playing competitive golf, don’t show up on the first tee and expect this fun rule to be in place.

#2: 1 Mulligan Per Side

This usually allows a golfer to take up to 1 mulligan per side.  Where it becomes strange is if someone misses a 3 footer and then announces he or she is taking their mulligan right then and there.

#3: 1 Mulligan Total

Somewhere over the 18 holes the mulligan is allowed.  Once again, if you are on the 18th hole and haven’t used your mulligan yet, it might not sit well with your playing partners if you use your mulligan off the 18th tee.  However, this is where it is important to clarify the rules with the entire group.

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Golf is a wonderful game!

Final Thoughts: Mulligans and Golf

Golf has come a long way in drawing in the former high school athlete or social golfer into this great game.  While you will have the traditionalist that would never take a mulligan, as long as you aren’t holding up the course, your group can set the rules that you want.  

At the end of the day, golf should be fun and for many this includes some banter back and forth with their playing partners.  Some of my favorite rounds over time included some back and forth jabs at our playing partners and something on the line to make it fun!

My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently.  About four years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.  I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.

This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer.  I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.  I can practice or play rounds of golf.  I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.

It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.

Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

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