THE OFFICIAL CALLAWAY HANDICAP SYSTEM

The Callaway System is a so-called "one-round" system or "worst-holes system" that compresses the spread of gross scores when converted to net scores. It produces a result such that the player with the lowest gross score almost always becomes the low net score winner. Most players with higher gross scores end up with net scores within a few strokes of the winner so that most players can feel competitive. (See the Scheid System Handicap for a balanced alternative method similar to the Callaway System).

By the Callaway System, a player's allowance is determined after each round by deducting the scores of the worst individual holes during the first 16 holes. The table shows the number of "worst hole" scores he may deduct and the adjustment to be made, based on his gross score.

For example, if his gross score for 18 holes is 96, he turns to the table and opposite that score finds that he may deduct the total for his three worst holes scored on holes 1 through 16 inclusive. Thus, if he has one 9, one 8, and a 7, his deduction totals 24. Further adjustment is then made according to the table below each column. For the sample score of 96, the deduction is reduced by 2 strokes, resulting in a final allowance of 22. Thus 96 minus an allowance of 22 equals a net score of 74.

THE "OFFICIAL CALLAWAY SYSTEM"

              Score                                 Deduct

----------------------------------     ---------------------------------

    --     --     70     71     72     no holes and adjustment        

    73     74     75     --     --     1/2 worst hole and adjustment  

    76     77     78     79     80     1 worst hole and adjustment    

    81     82     83     84     85     1-1/2 worst holes and adjustment                     

    86     87     88     89     90     2 worst holes and adjustment   

    91     92     93     94     95     2-1/2 worst holes and adjustment                                                                       

    96     97     98     99    100     3 worst holes and adjustment   

   101    102    103    104    105     3-1/2 worst holes and adjustment                     

   106    107    108    109    110     4 worst holes and adjustment   

   111    112    113    114    115     4-1/2 worst holes and adjustment                     

   116    117    118    119    120     5 worst holes and adjustment   

   121    122    123    124    125     5-1/2 worst holes and adjustment                     

   126    127    128    129    130     6 worst holes and adjustment   

       Adjustment to Deduction             Maximum Handicap - 50          

   -2     -1     0      +1     +2                                           

• 1. No hole may be scored at more than twice its par.
• 2. Half strokes count as whole.
• 3. The 17th and 18th holes are never deducted
• 4. In case of ties, lowest handicap takes preference.