Mulligans aren't real — but the breakfast ball lives on
A mulligan isn't in the Rules of Golf — it's a casual convention, typically a first-tee 'breakfast ball' the group agrees to. In competition or handicap rounds, it's not allowed.
Is a mulligan legal in golf?
No — a mulligan isn't in the Rules of Golf. Strictly, replaying a shot without penalty is not allowed under stroke play rules, but it's a near-universal casual convention.
The Rules simply have no provision for "do that shot over, no penalty." What you're actually doing when you take a mulligan is playing a ball under stroke and distance — without counting the penalty. In a competition or for handicap, that's a problem; in a friendly round, everyone just agrees.
The 'breakfast ball' convention
One mulligan on the first tee
The most common golf tradition: each player gets one "breakfast ball" — a free re-tee on the first hole, typically only used if the opening drive is really bad. Agree on it before the round and nobody argues. After the first tee, mulligans usually require the group's OK (e.g., "I'm taking a mulligan").
When a mulligan costs you
| Situation | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Friendly round, group agrees | Fine — it's a local agreement, not a rules issue |
| Competition / tournament | Not allowed — playing a second ball without penalty is a rules breach |
| Handicap round | Not allowed — scores must be played as they happen |
| Match play with opponent's consent | Could be allowed as a concession or agreement between players |
The honest alternative
If you want the do-over without the rules headache: play it as a provisional (when the ball might be lost or OB) or just take the stroke-and-distance penalty and count it. Your handicap stays honest, and you're never cheating yourself.
Related rules & guides
Mulligans pair naturally with gimme putts (the other great casual-golf convention) and provisional balls. For scoring and side games that ARE legal, check the Golf Bet Games Bundle.
Get the Bet Games Bundle → Free cheat sheet