How do you play a ....mulligan

[FairwaysToHeaven]

First, yes i get there are many who think a mulligan is a dirty word but i ask the rule book thumpers to just refrain from their standard....what is a mulligan comment

 

It's early season, swing is rusty, and most are just glad to be out of the house in some areas. So if playing with friends and you decide that each of you will get a mulligan or two for that day, there are two examples and wondering which is the proper way or the preferred way to treat the mulligan.

 

Ex. 1 - Hit a shot, declare you're using a mulligan. Hit the next shot knowing no matter the outcome once you hit your mulligan shot that ball must be played, better or worse than the first.

 

Ex. 2 - Hit your shot, not good not great but you're running out of holes to use your mulligan for the day so you decide to hit your mulligan. You hit the mulligan and its worse than the first, so you decide to just keep the first shot.

 

So which is the correct way, or are both examples common and its just up to you to decide which to use.

[augustgolf]

I use my mulligans at the 19th hole....fits into the whole "rules" thing much better, and no complaints from anyone

[Sawgrass]

As a card-carrying "thumper" I'll dutifully refrain from offering an opinion as to which of your two options are "correct."

 

But I will say that your impulse to determine propriety where none can possibly exist is fascinating. Is the option that strays furthest from the legitimate Rules "better" because it strays further within a quest to disregard the rules? Or worse for the same reason? (Not only will I not answer, I'll acknowledge that I certainly don't know the answer.)

[FairwaysToHeaven]

not surprising the rule book thumpers are the first to answer. lol

 

this topic probably should've been in the golf section and not where those who live and die by rule 6. 1 - 5a live...

[LeoLeo99]

It's not example 2. A mulligan aka breakfast ball is a do-over when you hit a very poor shot on one of the first few holes to compensate for being rusty, not warming-up, etc. If you haven't duffed a shot in the first 3 holes, your Mulligan expires. After the first 3 holes, you're warmed up and any rust is gone and what's going to be is what's going to be. If in the first 3 holes, your Mulligan is worse than the original shot, just play the original shot and your Mulligan is used up.

[Mr. Bean]

There is no correct nor incorrect way to use a mulligan as such a concept does not appear in the Rules of Golf.

 

However, before the commence of the round you and your playing partners may agree upon how many strokes you may take back with no penalty. As long as you do not post your scores nor do it in a competition.

[Sean2]

One of the people I play golf with is named Mulligan. That's about as close as I come.

[Mr. Bean]

It's not example 2. A mulligan aka breakfast ball is a do-over when you hit a very poor shot on one of the first few holes to compensate for being rusty, not warming-up, etc. If you haven't duffed a shot in the first 3 holes, your Mulligan expires. After the first 3 holes, you're warmed up and any rust is gone and what's going to be is what's going to be. If in the first 3 holes, your Mulligan is worse than the original shot, just play the original shot and your Mulligan is used up.

 

Oh my, Leo, it seems You have not heard of a somersault-Mulligan, have You?

 

This term was invented by one of the members in my club. Once you play a bad front nine you may want to start over. That is called somersault-Mulligan :taunt:

[augustgolf]

I gotchur mulligan....right here

 

 

 

[Sawgrass]

One of the people I play golf with is named Mulligan. That's about as close as I come.

 

So, you take a Mulligan on every hole?

[LeoLeo99]

It's not example 2. A mulligan aka breakfast ball is a do-over when you hit a very poor shot on one of the first few holes to compensate for being rusty, not warming-up, etc. If you haven't duffed a shot in the first 3 holes, your Mulligan expires. After the first 3 holes, you're warmed up and any rust is gone and what's going to be is what's going to be. If in the first 3 holes, your Mulligan is worse than the original shot, just play the original shot and your Mulligan is used up.

 

Oh my, Leo, it seems You have not heard of a somersault-Mulligan, have You?

 

This term was invented by one of the members in my club. Once you play a bad front nine you may want to start over. That is called somersault-Mulligan :taunt:

 

I'm not on board with such shenanigans.

[FairwaysToHeaven]

i'm sure heads will explode with the mention of a breakfast ball....but i've seen groups (again these are casual rounds not for handicap) often not allow mulligans but often give the option of a breakfast ball. we dont always have time for a warmup, so in casual round with friends an option to tee it up again only on the first is given. i assume the same would hold true....if you re-tee, the first shot is no longer and you must accept the second shot. none of this hitting an ok shot and then swinging for the fences on your 'breakfast ball' just to see if you can pull off something better knowing you can fall back on your first.

 

and to clarify..yes i completely understand the usga and the rules of golf do not clarify or give instruction on how to play mulligans or BB's. i'm just looking for opinions from those who've ever dared to...

[Mr. Bean]

One of the people I play golf with is named Mulligan. That's about as close as I come.

 

So, you take a Mulligan on every hole?

 

If Mulligan is a woman. A good looking one...

[Sawgrass]

 

i assume the same would hold true....if you re-tee, the first shot is no longer and you must accept the second shot. none of this hitting an ok shot and then swinging for the fences on your 'breakfast ball' just to see if you can pull off something better knowing you can fall back on your first.

 

 

Because that would be . . . wrong?

[Baitkiller]

My fishing capt foursome is 1 breakfast ball on the opening tee. Play the best.

None others taken.

I have heard 1&10 being used.

 

This all depends upon traffic and location / disposition of the starter.

[misplacedtexan83]

During scrambles, if I feel I could do better then Ill say mulligan and hit another one.

 

About the only time a Mulligan gets mention unless I'm playing with a random.

[Vindog]

Option 1 for sure.

 

As an aside, we have taken to charging for mulligans. Meaning if you want to use a mulligan then you need to buy the other 3 a drink.

 

Sometimes 1 per 18

Sometime 1 per 9,

never on the green

[Sean2]

One of the people I play golf with is named Mulligan. That's about as close as I come.

 

So, you take a Mulligan on every hole?

 

Hah! Too funny Sawgrass!

 

To answer your question, why yes I do. :-)

[Augster]

A breakfast ball is WAY closer to legal than a mulligan.

 

With a breakfast ball, in casual play obviously, who is to say when your round actually starts?

 

Real life example. When we used to be able to post solo rounds I had a round once where I was the only person at the course. First tee, I hit my first shot OB. I tee again and hit my 3rd shot OB. Instead of hitting my 5th from the tee, I said, "F-it", walked back to my car, put my clubs in my trunk and closed the trunk. Then I re-opened the trunk, got my clubs, went to the first tee and hit my first shot down the middle. I abandoned the first round and started my second round.

 

It'd have been much easier to just say I'm starting another round instead of going through the physical part of actually going to the parking lot.

 

Now that solo rounds aren't postable, I won't run into that again.

 

A breakfast ball is very similar to that. Even more so if you are the first in the group to hit.

[Greenie]

According to the official rules of those that don't play by the rules when you declare your mulligan you must play that ball for better or worse. One mulligan per nine holes and if you don't use it on the front you can not carry it over on the back or carry any unused mulligans from your previous round into your next round. That's the official mulligan rule. You can find that rule next to the root rule in the ????....LOL

[RipVan]

I only fornicate under consent of the King.

 

In a big charity event, the CEO of my company and the other important Kings hit OB. My dirve might have been in the rough, CEO gives me one of his 20 dollar mulligan tickets and tells me to hit a "provisional" mully. I stripe it down the middle. My first ball was only a couple feet into the rough and he decides we could retain the mulligan and with a club length, my first drive is in the fairway. I meekly said, I don't think we can do that. He says, "this is my tournament, we raise nine billion dollars for charity, we will do whatever I want"

 

So, if cheating.....Ex 1 is the lessor transgression but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

[Sun Devil]

Since the use of a mulligan voids the round .... you can define it any way your group is comfortable with.

 

When my group use to do this (not anymore) ... we called it a breakfast ball. Typically on an early am tee time with little to no warm up. The mulligan was only available on the 1st tee. If your 1st shot was playable .... you play it. If your 1st shot was OB or in a hazard .... pull out the B.B. That's it. No other options. No saving the mulligan for later.

[HatsForBats]

I have seen players use both examples you provided. There really is no right or wrong way when playing by your own rules. I would say just make sure the rules are clear before you start the round.

[LeoLeo99]

A breakfast ball is WAY closer to legal than a mulligan.

 

With a breakfast ball, in casual play obviously, who is to say when your round actually starts?

 

Real life example. When we used to be able to post solo rounds I had a round once where I was the only person at the course. First tee, I hit my first shot OB. I tee again and hit my 3rd shot OB. Instead of hitting my 5th from the tee, I said, "F-it", walked back to my car, put my clubs in my trunk and closed the trunk. Then I re-opened the trunk, got my clubs, went to the first tee and hit my first shot down the middle. I abandoned the first round and started my second round.

 

It'd have been much easier to just say I'm starting another round instead of going through the physical part of actually going to the parking lot.

 

Now that solo rounds aren't postable, I won't run into that again.

 

A breakfast ball is very similar to that. Even more so if you are the first in the group to hit.

 

I remember a round years ago. First I played in a long time. Opening hole is a par 3 of 180 yards. 5iron. First ball when 3 feet. I picked it up and reteed it. Second shot went 12 feet. Reteed it. Third shot about 40 yards to the right into the tennis courts. But the fourth shot was 5 feet from the stick. Started the round with a bridie!

[Sawgrass]

A breakfast ball is WAY closer to legal than a mulligan.

 

With a breakfast ball, in casual play obviously, who is to say when your round actually starts?

 

Real life example. When we used to be able to post solo rounds I had a round once where I was the only person at the course. First tee, I hit my first shot OB. I tee again and hit my 3rd shot OB. Instead of hitting my 5th from the tee, I said, "F-it", walked back to my car, put my clubs in my trunk and closed the trunk. Then I re-opened the trunk, got my clubs, went to the first tee and hit my first shot down the middle. I abandoned the first round and started my second round.

 

It'd have been much easier to just say I'm starting another round instead of going through the physical part of actually going to the parking lot.

 

Now that solo rounds aren't postable, I won't run into that again.

 

A breakfast ball is very similar to that. Even more so if you are the first in the group to hit.

 

I remember a round years ago. First I played in a long time. Opening hole is a par 3 of 180 yards. 5iron. First ball when 3 feet. I picked it up and reteed it. Second shot went 12 feet. Reteed it. Third shot about 40 yards to the right into the tennis courts. But the fourth shot was 5 feet from the stick. Started the round with a bridie!

 

Seve: "I miss, I miss, I miss, I make."

 

Leo: "I quit, I quit, I quit, I birdie."

[Rookie1422]

I know many members who allow breakfast ball on the first hole (mulligan), they allow you to choose which is better.

[SNIPERBBB]

I only fornicate under consent of the King.

 

In a big charity event, the CEO of my company and the other important Kings hit OB. My dirve might have been in the rough, CEO gives me one of his 20 dollar mulligan tickets and tells me to hit a "provisional" mully. I stripe it down the middle. My first ball was only a couple feet into the rough and he decides we could retain the mulligan and with a club length, my first drive is in the fairway. I meekly said, I don't think we can do that. He says, "this is my tournament, we raise nine billion dollars for charity, we will do whatever I want"

 

So, if cheating.....Ex 1 is the lessor transgression but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

 

I love the "provisional mulligan" in scrambles. I nearly fall over everytime I hear it. You have a ball in play and you can do about anything short of teeing the ball up for the second shot and you want to burn a mulligan on a tee shot?

[George1174]

It's not a mulligan, it's "three from the tee".

 

Either you mumble "provisional" or you don't. Actually I like to announce a "professional ball", cause I heard Rory say that once. At least that was what I understood form his norther irish singsang.

[Colin L]

How do you play a Mulligan? Better than your first shot, you hope. :)

[puttingmatt]

So do you figure your handicap using mulligans? Do you post a score in the clubhouse with an asterisk ( muligan used) or not,