The Callaway scoring system is used to equalise scores when a group of beginner
or unhandicapped golfers play in a competition. Depending on the gross score
of the player a number of holes are subtracted from the player's score to arrive
at a "Net" score.
A player's net score is determined at the conclusion of the round after making
adjustments according to the gross score of the player and the following table.
| - |
- |
70 |
71 |
72 |
no holes, no adjustment |
| 73 |
74 |
75 |
- |
- |
1/2 worst hole |
| 76 |
77 |
78 |
79 |
80 |
1 worst hole |
| 81 |
82 |
83 |
84 |
85 |
1 1/2 worst hole |
| 86 |
87 |
88 |
89 |
90 |
2 worst holes |
| 91 |
92 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
2 1/2 worst holes |
| 96 |
97 |
98 |
99 |
100 |
3 worst holes |
| 101 |
102 |
103 |
104 |
105 |
3 1/2 worst holes |
| 106 |
107 |
108 |
109 |
110 |
4 worst holes |
| 111 |
112 |
113 |
114 |
115 |
4 1/2 worst holes |
| 116 |
117 |
118 |
119 |
120 |
5 worst holes |
| 121 |
122 |
123 |
124 |
125 |
5 1/2 worst holes |
| 126 |
127 |
128 |
129 |
130 |
6 worst holes |
| -2 |
-1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
adjustment to deduction |
The maximum handicap is 50
Example of Callaway Format
Example 1
- Gross score is 96
- From the table he may deduct his 3 worst holes (for holes 1 to 16 only)
- Assume his 3 worst scores were 9, 9 and 7. This totals 25
- An additional adjustment is made per the adjustment row at the bottom
- The total adjustment from his score is 23 (25 minus 2)
- This is then adusted from the gross score of 96 to arrive at Net 73
Example 2
- Gross score is 108
- From the table he may deduct his 4 worst holes (for holes 1 to 16 only)
- Assume his 4 worst scores were 11, 9, 8 and 7. This totals 35 however the
11 was on a par 4. The rules state that no more then double the par of a hole
may be counted so this 11 is reduced to 8. The adjusted total therefore becomes
32
- An additional adjustment is made per the adjustment row at the bottom
- The total adjustment from his score is 32 (32 minus 0)
- This is then adusted from the gross score of 108 to arrive at Net 76
Key Features of Callaway
- Holes 17 and 18 may not be considered "worst holes" and thus must
form part of the score
- No hole may be scored at more than twice its par
- Half strokes are rounded up
- The maximum handicap is 50
Positives of Callaway
- Equalises the scores of all golfers in a consistent and fair manner
- A few bad holes will not ruin a player's round as these holes will generally
be deducted as a "worst hole"
Negatives of Callaway
- Can be time intensive and requires some calculation to adjust the score
bearing in mind restrictions imposed above
- Requires that golfers keep effectively a stroke scorecard meaning that speed
of play will be slow
Overall Comment on Callaway
An equitable way of adjusting scores in a competition where the majority of
players do not have a verifiable handicap. Rarely used in Corporate Golf Days
as easier formats exist.