Chapter 9: Handicap Information

Handicap Procedures

Handicapping is a means of placing bowlers and teams with varying degrees of skill on as equitable a basis as possible for their competition against each other. USBC recommends that higher handicap percentages be used for more equalized matches.

Team A Team B

Average Handicap Average Handicap

Jill 160 + 32 = 192 Scott 124 + 60 = 184

Barbara 155 + 36 = 191 Pam 122 + 62 = 184

Paul 140 + 48 = 188 Eric 132 + 54 = 186

Juanita 146 + 43 = 189 Jennifer 141 + 47 = 188

Adam 167 + 26 = 193 Mike 160 + 32 = 192

768 + 185 = 953 679 + 255 = 934

With 80 percent handicap, Team A has a 19-pin advantage over Team B. By basing handicap on 80 percent of 200, it would be difficult for Team B to win the game. If the members of Team A were to bowl their average, it would be necessary for the members of Team B to exceed their own team average by at least 20 pins in order to win the game.

Example, with handicap based on 100 percent of 200:

Team A Team B

Average Handicap Average Handicap

Jill 160 + 40 = 200 Scott 124 + 76 = 200

Barbara 155 + 45 = 200 Pam 122 + 78 = 200

Paul 140 + 60 = 200 Eric 132 + 68 = 200

Juanita 146 + 54 = 200 Jennifer 141 + 59 = 200

Adam 167 + 33 = 200 Mike 160 + 40 = 200

768 + 232 = 1000 679 + 321 = 1000

If the handicap is based on 100 percent of 200, the chances of Team B winning the game would be more realistic.

The game becomes a most pins over average contest.

Since USBC rules state games with handicap included are to be eligible for league prizes, unless the league rules otherwise, problems can arise when handicap is based on the difference of the averages of the two

USBC Playing Rules and Commonly Asked Questions

102 – Chapter 9: USBC Handicap Information

competing teams. USBC recommends handicap leagues use the individual or the team method of handicapping, so both teams in a match have the benefit of handicap.

See Rule 100g for the rules which govern handicap leagues.

Individual Method of Handicapping

Set a scratch figure higher than the entering average of any bowler in the league and decide on the percentage to be used for computing handicap. The individual handicaps of the bowlers are added together for the team handicap. In the following example, 100 percent of 200 is used.

Actual Average Handicap 100% of 200

Kathy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 70

Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 60 (200 minus average

Ashley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 75 X 100% equals

Keith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 65 bowler’s handicap.)

Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 30

300 Handicap for Team

Team Method of Handicapping

Set a scratch figure higher than the entering average of any team in the league and decide on the percentage to be used in computing the handicap. The actual averages of the bowlers are added together in determining the team average. In the following example, 100 percent of 800 is used.

Team C Team D

Kathy . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Justin . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Theresa . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Ashley . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Sara . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Keith . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Todd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Frank . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

700 685

Handicap . . . . . . . . . . 100 Handicap . . . . . . . . . . 115

Handicap for Team C: 800 scratch - 700 team average is 100 X 100 percent = 100 pins handicap for each game. Handicap for Team D: 800 scratch - 685 team average is 115 X 100 percent = 115. See Rule 100g for the rules which govern handicap leagues.

USBC Playing Rules and Commonly Asked Questions