What is a mulligan in golf?

In golf, a mulligan is a do-over or second chance that a player can take when he or she hits a poor shot. Mulligans are not allowed in official tournament play, but are often used in casual or friendly rounds of golf. The term "mulligan" may have originated from a Canadian golfer named David Mulligan, who was known for taking second chances at shots he deemed unsatisfactory.

Generally, a mulligan is agreed upon before the round starts and can only be used once per round, typically on the first tee shot of the day. Mulligans are not officially recorded on the scorecard and do not count towards a player's score. While some golfers enjoy the relaxed nature of mulligans, others believe that it goes against the spirit of the game by allowing players to avoid the consequences of a poor shot.