Callaway Handicapping is a method used to "handicap the unhandicapped". If all the players in a round do not have established Handicap Indexes, this method can be used to create Playing Handicaps "on the fly" using the scores posted by the players.
In this article, we will discuss the details of this method.
How Playing Handicaps are Computed:
Playing Handicaps are computed using a deduction chart (as shown below). These charts differ depending on the par for the course.
The following steps are taken to compute Playing Handicaps:
Using the chart, find the player's score to determine the number of "worst" holes to be deducted. The maximum score that can be counted on a hole is double par. For instance, on a Par 4, the score cannot be higher than 8.
Identify the "worst" holes to be deducted. (Note: If using "Callaway 15", holes 16, 17, and 18 cannot be deducted. If using "Callaway 16", holes 17 and 18 cannot be deducted.)
Add the "worst" holes together to get the total deductions.
Using the bottom of the chart, find the player's score to determine the final adjustment to the deduction.
Deduct the total deductions (including the final adjustment) from the gross score to determine a net score.
A deduction table for a Par 72 course is listed below.
Note: If par is different than 72, simply add or subtract the number of strokes - corresponding to the difference in par - from the gross scores listed in the chart. For example, if par is 71, then subtract 1 from each of the gross scores listed below.
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 |
|
| ||||
-2 | -1 | 0 | +1 | +2 |
| *Maximum deduction -50 |
Example using Callaway 16 on a Par 72 Course (chart above):
Player’s gross score for 18 holes is 96.
Player deducts the three "worst" holes (cannot deduct holes 17 and 18).
Three "worst" holes have a score of 9, 8, and 7 (Total deduction of 24).
Adjustment to the deduction is -2.
Final deduction is 22.
Net score is 74. (96-22=74)
Setting up a Tournament using Callaway Handicapping:
To set up a tournament using Callaway Handicapping, go to the tournament setup and select "Callaway 16" or "Callaway 15" as the Handicap option (as shown below).
When using "Callaway 15", holes 16, 17, and 18 cannot be deducted. When using "Callaway 16", holes 17 and 18 cannot be deducted.
If playing a shotgun start, the same holes cannot be deducted for all players regardless of their starting hole. For instance, a player starting on hole #11 using "Callaway 16" cannot deduct holes 17 and 18. (as opposed to their 17th and 18th hole, which is holes 9 and 10).
Note 1: It is not suggested to use Callaway Handicapping for a Match Play tournament, as it will impact the results after the match is completed. If you do use Callaway Handicapping for Match Play, ensure all matches play all 18 holes. Further, inform players that the tournament results are not final until the round has been set to completed and the Callaway Handicap has been processed.
Note 2: It is not suggested to use Callaway for scramble tournaments because there will be very few scores that are over par.