Where Did The Term Mulligan Come From?

But where did the term Mulligan come from?  After much search, here's the best summary I could find:

“The term Mulligan is an unusual one. Like many golf terms it is steeped in controversy. Just where exactly did this term originate? Is it a reference to a person, a combination of words, or is it derivative of another language.

One proposed explanation is that in the late 1920s, a Canadian Golfer, David Mulligan, played golf with a group of friends at the St. Lambert Country Club, outside Montreal. David being the only golfer with a car, ended up driving everyone to the course. The drive took him over many rough roads and a really bumpy bridge found at the entrance to the course. Due the rough driving conditions, Mulligan's hands were in pretty bad shape by the time the trip was over. His “buddies” were nice enough to give him and extra drive off the first tee.


Many other clubs have claimed to also have a golfer that the term is based on, either mulligan or Mel Egan, etc. who would hit another shot whenever he could think of a good excuse to justify it. Another theory is that a group of golfers all hit bad tee shots and declared that they would “hit 'em all again”.”

We at the SGA salute you David Mulligan for your pioneering efforts on behalf of recreational golfers.  You are truly the original SortaGolfer.



And to all you unsatisfied recreational golfers, remember to abide by SortaGolf Rules Amendment # 7, "A Mulligan Per Round".