Games We Play - “Official” Callaway System
One-round handicap system for individual play

“Official” Callaway System

The Callaway or “Official Callaway” handicap system was devised by Lionel F. Callaway to compute a handicap from hole-by-hole scores of a single 18-hole round, ignoring some number of a player’s “worst holes”, based on the player’s total gross score for the round.  It is useful for computing handicaps for a group of unhandicapped players or for players with no playing history on which to base a handicap.

⚑

The objective of the Callaway System is to produce net scores in a range from par to the mid-70’s.  Occasionally, a net score below par is produced.  A calculated Callaway handicap cannot exceed 50 strokes, and it is based on hole-by-hole gross scores limited to twice par (6 on par 3’s, 8 on par 4‘s, 10 on par 5’s).  Because a competitor’s handicap is not determined until the round is complete, intermediate net scores are not available during play.

⚑

Generally, an event using the Official Callaway system rewards skilled golfers who score consistently, and play particularly well on the last 2 holes.  Like most one-round handicap calculations, the Callaway System leaves most participants thinking that they were almost a winner.