Which handicapping system is most widely used to determine the net score of players without an official USGA handicap?

The Callaway handicapping system is specifically designed to provide a way to assess a golfer's performance without requiring an official USGA handicap. This system is beneficial in casual play or club tournaments where not all players possess an official handicap, allowing for fair competition among players of varying skill levels.

The Callaway system operates by utilizing a player's score and applies the highest score in relation to par for each hole, which can help level the playing field. Points are then subtracted based on the golfer's total strokes to ultimately determine their net score, enabling players to compete more equitably.

In contrast, the net score system primarily modifies players’ scores based on an official handicap; therefore, it cannot apply to those without one. The Modified Stableford system assigns points based on performance rather than directly adjusting scores with a handicap, and match play adjustments focus on head-to-head competition rather than overall scores. These options do not fulfill the requirement of serving players who lack an official handicap as effectively as the Callaway system does.