What is a mulligan in golf?

In golf, a mulligan is an informal, extra stroke taken from the tee. It's not a sanctioned rule of the game; it's a casual, often friendly, way to redo a bad shot without penalty. Essentially, it lets a golfer ignore a poor tee shot and attempt another from the same spot.

Here's what characterizes a mulligan:

• Unsanctioned: Mulligans are not allowed in official competitions or tournaments. They're strictly for casual rounds with friends.
• Usually on the tee shot: While technically a mulligan could be taken from anywhere, it's almost always used for a bad drive.
• Informal agreement: Players must agree beforehand to allow mulligans. There's no official rule specifying how many or under what conditions they're granted.
• Generally one per hole: Many players will agree to a single mulligan per hole, although this can be variable.
• Purpose: Mulligans are primarily used to improve the enjoyment of the game, especially for less experienced players, by removing frustrating bad shots.

In short, while fun and common in casual rounds, don't expect to get away with using a mulligan in any serious golf game.