What Is A Breakfast Ball In Golf

Ever heard somebody call out for a breakfast ball on the first tee or even from watching golfers online and it left you thinking what is a breakfast ball in golf?

Well if you don’t know by now you can rest easy knowing that they are not referring to a golf ball made from breakfast… although that does sound almost appetizing!

No, a breakfast ball is an unwritten rule of golf and the use of one depends entirely on who you’re playing with or if you’re playing in a competition.

That’s why it’s important you understand what it is so you can convince the players you’re with to try it out and possibly have the round of your life.

But first, you might be asking yourself… 

Why is it called a breakfast ball?

Keep reading to find out!

Why Is It Called A Breakfast Ball

You’re hopefully aware that breakfast is the first and some claim the most important meal of the day. The breakfast ball would be considered by golfers in real need of one as the most important ball of the day.

The reason it’s called a breakfast ball and not a dinner ball is that it only applies to your very first shot on the first tee box after a bad tee shot. Putting two and two together because it’s how you start your round off and you start your day with a fine breakfast the two come together to make the breakfast ball.

Whoever first came up with that name deserves a medal if not a spot in the Golfing Hall of Fame.

Where Did The Breakfast Ball Come From?

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you for a fact who or where the term breakfast ball came from but I can pinpoint where the term Mulligan came from. They are almost the same concept with a slight difference but I’ll fill you in on that later on in the article.

The term Mulligan has been hinted at coming from an avid golfer playing out of Canada named David Mulligan. The term was coined as David allegedly would like to take another shot right after a bad shot… he originally called it a correction shot!

That being said there have been others who have tried to lay claim to the term and there is really no way to know.

But I’m putting my money on David!

How Many Breakfast Balls Are You Allowed To Take?

The short answer is you can take a breakfast ball as many times as your playing partners will let you. The reason is that there isn’t anything set in stone or in any rule book about breakfast balls.

It’s more of a rule used during a casual round amongst friends or golfers who just want to enjoy their round a little more.

However, it’s an unspoken rule that you get one breakfast ball for the first hole with your first tee shot. If your first ball goes out of bounds, or in the water, or a moles hole, and then your breakfast ball follows it then you’re on your own.

That’s why it’s important to keep on your playing partners’ goods side just in case you may have to ask for a lunch ball or even a dinner ball later in the round.

Just be careful you don’t get carried away and take too many or you may end up holding up the group behind you. Although your golf buddies won’t mind doesn’t mean others will feel the same especially if you’re slowing down the pace of play.

Also, you will run the risk of losing all your new and fresh golf balls and having to play with some Old Golf Balls.

Are Breakfast Balls Allowed In Competition?

Breakfast balls are not something you will see PGA Tour players using or any golfer during competitive play. These competitions start from the local golf course all the way to the big dogs on the tour.

That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist in all competitions. 

There are certain competitions that are less competitive where the golf course will offer a golfer or golfers the option of paying extra for a set amount of breakfast balls, mulligans, free throws, and even kicks!

Usually, these competitions are fundraisers for a charity of some kind and all the extra money spent by golfers who buy these additional perks go straight to the cause.

How many would you buy if you had the chance?

Is There A Difference Between A Mulligan And Breakfast Ball

Although they are similar they are not the same and the key difference is when you can and can’t take them.

Breakfast balls are supposed to be only used on the first tee shot to give you a good start to the round. Mulligans are completely different.

Mulligans can be taken at any time during the round, from the fairway, the tee box, the rough even the green if you’re bold enough to claim it… goof luck with that one!

Mulligans are the Swiss army knife of redos or do-overs whatever you want to call them but once again don’t use too many if there’s a group behind you they may become impatient.

Now that you know all there is about breakfast balls enlighten your golf buddies if they ask you what is a breakfast ball in golf.

Who knows it could be the start of a brand new tradition and a  more enjoyable golf round.

By the way, if you’ve ever asked yourself What Do Those Numbers On Your Golf Ball mean we’ve got something on that too!