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In golf, a Milligan, more commonly spelled mulligan, is a do-over or second chance at a shot with no penalty during a casual round of play. It is a common golfing expression that means retaking a shot after a particularly bad one. Mulligans are not allowed in professional play or any amateur competitions abiding by USGA rules. However, in casual play, they can speed up the game by reducing the time spent searching for a lost ball, reduce frustration, and increase enjoyment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A free shot sometimes given to a golfer in informal play when the previous shot was poorly played |
| Origin | The term is believed to have originated from a Canadian golfer, David B. Mulligan (1869–1954) |
| Usage | Mulligans are not allowed in professional play or any amateur competitions abiding by USGA rules |
| Informal Usage | Mulligans are commonly used in casual rounds of golf and are often agreed upon when making friendly wagers |
| Etiquette | It is considered poor etiquette to take more than a few mulligans per round, especially if it slows down the pace of play |
| Benefits | Mulligans can reduce the time spent searching for a lost ball, decrease frustration, and increase enjoyment of the game |
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What You'll Learn
Definition of a Mulligan
A "mulligan" in golf is a do-over or a second chance at a shot with no penalty during a casual round of play. It is a common golfing expression for retaking a shot after a particularly bad one. Mulligans are not allowed in competitive play or any amateur competitions following USGA rules. However, in casual play, they can speed up the game by reducing the time spent searching for a lost ball, reducing frustration, and increasing the enjoyment of the game.
The term "mulligan" is believed to have originated from a Canadian golfer named David B. Mulligan, who played at the Country Club of Montreal golf course in the 1920s. One story suggests that after hitting a poor tee shot, Mulligan immediately re-teed and took a "correction shot." His companions found it fitting to name this unorthodox practice after him. Another version suggests that Mulligan was allowed an extra shot due to his shaky condition after a difficult drive to the course.
Mulligans are typically reserved for poor shots off the tee and are often agreed upon when making friendly wagers. It is generally considered poor golf etiquette to take more than a few mulligans per round, especially if it slows down the pace of play. While there is no "correct" number of mulligans, limiting their use is essential for tracking one's improvement and maintaining the integrity of the game.
Mulligans are not unique to golf and have been adapted in various games, including card games. In Magic: The Gathering, for example, a player can declare a mulligan and redraw their hand until they are satisfied or have no cards left.
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Mulligan Golf
The term "Mulligan" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, with several stories attributing it to different people named Mulligan. One popular theory credits David Bernard Mulligan, a Canadian golfer from the 1920s who played at Lambert Country Club in Quebec. According to this story, Mr Mulligan played a “correction shot” after his first tee shot went awry, and his contemporaries decided to name this extra shot after him. Another theory suggests the term comes from John A. "Buddy" Mulligan, a locker room attendant at Essex Fells Country Club in New Jersey during the 1930s. It is said that Buddy hit an awful shot and begged his playing partners for a second chance, as they had been practising while he was working.
Regardless of its origins, the Mulligan has become an accepted part of casual golf culture. It is typically used for tee shots, especially the first tee shot of the day, which can be a high-pressure moment for golfers. The rules around Mulligans can vary between groups, and it is important to establish these before the round begins. Some common guidelines include allowing one Mulligan per nine holes, having a "breakfast ball" (a do-over on the first tee shot), or purchasing Mulligans in charity tournaments, with proceeds going to a good cause.
While Mulligans can add a fun and forgiving element to the game, they should be used in moderation to maintain good golf etiquette and not slow down the pace of play. Additionally, golfers should be mindful of their own improvement and consistency by limiting their reliance on Mulligans.
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Origins of the term
In golf, a "mulligan" is a do-over or second chance at a shot with no penalty during a casual round of play. Usually, mulligans are reserved for poor shots off the tee. While there are no mulligans in competitive play, they are generally accepted in casual rounds of golf.
The term "mulligan" has several purported origins. One theory suggests that it originated from a fictional baseball player, Swat Mulligan (originally Milligan), who was introduced in the New York Evening World around 1908 as a paragon of hitting power. His name became synonymous with powerful hitters, and the term "mulligan" was used to describe a powerful swing at the ball. This theory is supported by a citation from the Detroit Free Press on October 13, 1931, which mentions the term without explanation, implying that it was already in common use at the time.
Another theory suggests that the term originated from David B. Mulligan, a Canadian golfer and manager of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City during the 1920s. There are several variations of this story. One version claims that Mulligan, after hitting a poor tee shot, immediately re-teed and took a "correction shot". His companions found this practice unusual and named it after him, and Mulligan is said to have introduced this concept to the Winged Foot golf club in the United States. Another version suggests that Mulligan was allowed an extra shot due to his jumpy and shaky state after a difficult drive to the course over the Victoria Bridge.
A third theory, mentioned by Peter Reitan in a 2017 blog post, casts doubt on the eponymous etymology theories. Reitan points out that these theories conflict with the 1931 dictionary antedating and proposes that the term originated from John A. Mulligan, a golfer who, like David Mulligan, was known for taking extra shots early in a round.
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Informal play
A "Milligan" in golf, more commonly spelled "Mulligan", refers to a do-over or second chance at a shot with no penalty during a casual round of play. It is a term that is not officially recognised in the golfing rule book but is used in some social games by prior arrangement. It is a great way to relax during a game of golf, but it is not always accepted by fellow players, and asking for a correction shot can cause some friction.
Mulligans are generally only permitted to be carried out on tee shots, and how many are allowed depends on the group consensus. It is important to establish how many Mulligans will be allowed before the round starts. While Mulligans are a handy tool to have, they should be limited as they can slow down the game and spoil some of the fun for competitive golfers. It is poor golf etiquette to take more than a few per round.
Mulligans are a great way to keep a golf game relaxed and stress-free, allowing an extra shot to replace a poor one. They are particularly useful for new golfers who often struggle to keep the ball in play when hitting off the tee. It can be tempting to use them early in a round, but if you have more than one Mulligan, you may want to save one for later in the round.
Mulligans can also be introduced into a game on a Charity golf day, where organisers offer players the chance to 'buy a Mulligan' to be used during the round. This is a good way to raise more money for a charity fundraiser, but it is important to limit the number of Mulligans a player can buy to ensure the game remains fair.
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Golf etiquette
Golf is a game with a lot of rules, and many golfers are sticklers for them! However, there are some unwritten rules or etiquette that golfers should follow.
Firstly, it is important to understand the rules of the game. Some of the most common rules relate to out-of-bounds, lost balls, and moving on. If you hit a shot into the woods and think it might be lost or out of bounds, you can play a second or provisional ball. You then have three minutes to find the original ball. If you don't find it, you must declare it lost and play the provisional ball with a one-stroke penalty. If you find the original ball in bounds, you must continue to play it.
Another important aspect of golf etiquette is the pace of play. Beginners often focus on having fun, but it is important to understand that slow play can ruin the experience for the groups behind you. Be aware of other golfers and let them play through if they are waiting for your group. This is known as "ready golf". It means being ready to hit as soon as someone else's shot has landed and not waiting for others in your group if you are ready to take your shot. If you are sharing a cart, walk to your ball and get ready to hit while others are taking their shots.
It is also good etiquette to tip caddies and cart people, and to offer to buy drinks for your fellow players and caddies at the turn or following the round. Finally, it is customary to shake hands with your fellow players at the end of the round, whether you are congratulating winners or consoling losers.
One other thing to be aware of when it comes to golf etiquette is the concept of a "Milligan". A Milligan is an unofficial rule that allows a golfer to retake a tee shot, essentially giving them a second chance. It is not mentioned in the official rules and is only used in casual or amateur games, but it can be very useful if you want to improve your lie or line of play. The term is believed to come from a golfer named David Bernard Mulligan, who played a correction shot after his first tee shot went wrong.
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Frequently asked questions
A "milligan" in golf, also spelled "mulligan", is a free shot or a second chance at a shot with no penalty during a casual round of play. It is usually taken after a poor shot.
A milligan is usually taken after a poor shot off the tee. It is generally considered bad form to take a milligan close to or on the green.
While there is no "correct" number, it is considered poor golf etiquette to take more than a few milligans per round, especially if it slows down the pace of play.
Milligans are not allowed in professional play or amateur competitions following USGA rules. They are reserved for casual rounds of golf or friendly wagers.
