Can I Get a Mulligan? Understanding Mulligans in Golf and Beyond

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 spectacularly poor shots off the tee. While there are no mulligans in competitive play, taking one or more mulligans is usually fine in a casual round of golf.

Reflections on Parenthood and Hemophilia

I think lots of parents feel they would do better the second time around. I only have one child, so I never got a do over, “mulligan”. Of course, I’m kidding, but it is true I would do quite a few things differently. I think many mothers who are carriers shoulder a lot of guilt. For years, I thought Tyler, my son, had a spontaneous mutation which caused his bleeding disorder. Technically, I was the one born with the mutation that made me a carrier of hemophilia which I then passed on to him. We had no family history, so this diagnosis was a surprise to all.

Legal Case: A Denied Mulligan

A very fascinating case announced on Valentine’s Day by Division III of the Washington Court of Appeals denied "a mulligan" to a group of property owners seeking to keep open a golf course located adjacent to their homes. In Riverview Community Group v. Spencer and Livingston, et al., a group of property owners sought an equitable servitude from the court to require the developer (and its varied entities) from whom they had bought their properties to maintain and operate a golf course. The 18-hole golf course had a pro shop, bar, lounge, and motel. But the course closed in 2009 because of financial difficulty.

Mulligan Day

National Mulligan Day is observed annually on October 17th. The day offers an opportunity for giving yourself a second chance or, as some people call it, a “do-over.”

A Personal Mulligan Tale

Can I Get a Mulligan?

For those of you who know me, you know that I am not what you might call a "morning person". I need a do-over. I had to be up early this morning for a work trip to Sioux Falls, SD. That’s an 8.5 hour drive, round trip…. So, the cherry on top – I also got a speeding ticket on the way home. Granted, by then I was a zombie, so it was deserved. So, I’m planning on snuggling in tonight, watching the debates, going to bed early, and starting over with a brand new sun-shiny day – tomorrow.

What A Bunch Of Garbage!

I was fourteen. It was a warmer season of ’95. I stood in line at a music retailer for an autograph session of the thrash metal band Anthrax. This meet and greet was a big deal for my friends and I. In fact, my super awesome mom pulled me out of school a couple hours early in order for me to meet the band…. Time has a way of healing wounds, and I eventually got to the point where I could look at a pile of soda cans without weeping, but something disturbing and wholly unpleasant festered within my bowels: regret.

Card Game Strategy

What is a mulligan strategy?

Taking a mulligan means that you have one fewer card than your opponent, and cards are arguably the most important resource in the game. If an average six-card hand is only 40% to win the game, that is still an improvement from a bad seven.

Do you SCRY after mulligan?

Once each player has made a declaration, all players who decided to take mulligans do so at the same time. This rule goes into effect with the Core Set 2020 rules update.

The Origin of Mulligan

The term “mulligan” originated in the game of golf during the 1930s. It refers to a second chance or do-over, usually granted when a player hits a poor shot. The idiom has evolved into everyday slang usage referring to any opportunity to redo something that went wrong the first time.

The term mulligan originated from the Irish surname Mac An Crosain, meaning “grandson of the young cross." In modern times, Mulligans reside mostly in Counties Mayo and Monaghan in Ireland.

Mulligan Etiquette in Golf

How many mulligans are you allowed?

The acceptability of mulligans varies from one round to another. In casual play among friends, players might agree on the number of mulligans allowed before the round begins. It’s essential to establish this beforehand to ensure a fair and enjoyable game. In formal or competitive settings, mulligans are often not permitted.

Limit the number of mulligans: It is generally considered poor etiquette to take multiple mulligans on the same hole. One mulligan per round is usually the maximum. Typically, golfers are only allowed to take one mulligan per round unless the group agrees that more mulligans can be used.

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