What is a Callaway Handicap?

Callaway is a scoring system used in the event that the participants do not have an established handicap to use. It is popular for one-time events, where all participants can be compared, without any prior golf records.

The Callaway Scoring System requires 3 pieces of information:

(See below for a full example)

1. Gross Score

2. Callaway Handicap

3. Net Score

Here’s how to calculate each:

1. Gross Score – this is given by the total amount of strokes recorded during your round without any adjustment such as Equitable Stroke Control or adjustments mentioned below.

          * You took 94 strokes in a round. Gross Score = 94.

2. Callaway Handicap – this is found by altering your hole-by-hole scores. Note that your gross score does not change, even though you will be making changes to your scores for each hole. In order to get your Callaway-based handicap, make the following adjustments:

a)     On any hole scored over double-par, change the score to be recorded as a double-par on that hole (i.e. scored 9 on a par 4 à change to 8)

b)     Remove holes 17 & 18. These will not be used to determine your handicap.

c)     Find your gross score in the Callaway Handicap table (shown in example below). To the right you will find the number of holes that will be used to build your handicap. Below in the same column will give you the additional handicap adjustment that will be used.

d)     Identify the worst holes on the score card – strictly the highest number of strokes (not counting the 17 & 18 holes which have been removed). Order these from highest to lowest.

i.e. 8 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3  (adjusted scores from first 16 holes listed from highest to lowest)

e)     Using the number of holes allowed to count toward your handicap (from right side of Callaway Handicap table), identify the scores that will be used.

i.e. If you scored 94, the number of holes allowed is 2 ½. Take the first 2 listed, and half of the third and round up (8,7,4)

f)       Add the values you have just found to come up with your unadjusted Callaway Handicap.

i.e. For the example: 8+7+4 = 19

g)     Apply the additional handicap adjustment found at the bottom of the Callaway Handicap table. This gives you the final Callaway Handicap.

i.e. If your gross score was 94, the additional handicap adjustment is +1. Your final Callaway Handicap would then be 20  (19+1=20).

          * Callaway Handicap = 20

3. Net Score - this is found by taking your gross score and subtracting your Callaway handicap

          * Gross Score = 94; Callaway Handicap = 20. Your Net Score is 74  (94-20=74).

DETAILED EXAMPLE OF THE CALLAWAY HANDICAP SYSTEM:
 

EXAMPLE #1: Gross Score=94

Step 1: Adjust scores for any score over double-par

- Hole 12 is adjusted from 9 to 8 (double par). Note: your gross score remains 94 (even though one hole is lowered)

Step 2: Cross off holes 17 & 18

- Note: your gross score remains 94

Step 3: Since you scored 94, you are entitled to 2 1/2 bad holes, and a +1 handicap adjustment (both found on the Callaway handicap chart)

Step 4: Apply bad holes adjustment of 2 1/2.

- The worst holes scored 8, 7, 7 (holes 12, 3, 9). By taking the worst two, and half of the third, we come up with 18.5 (8+7+3.5=18.5). This is rounded up to 19 to give your current working handicap.

Step 5: Apply the handicap adjustment of +1 (found at the bottom of the chart).

- Your handicap is adjusted to 20 (19+1=20). This is the final handicap that will be used.

Step 6: Find your "Net" score