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. WIBC/ABC recommends that higher handicap percentages be used for more equalized matches.

     Example, with handicap based on 80% of 200: (All fractions are dropped when figuring handicap.)

TEAM A				TEAM B
	Average Handicap				Average Handicap
Jill		160 + 32 = 192		Steve		124 + 60 = 184
Barbara		155 + 36 = 191		Pam		122 + 62 = 184
Paul		140 + 48= 188		Carlos		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 a 80% handicap, Team A has a 19-pin advantage over Team B. By basing handicap on 80% 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 19 pins in order to win the game.

Example, with handicap based on 100% of 200:

TEAM A				TEAM B
	Average Handicap				Average Handicap
Jill		160 + 40 = 200		Steve		124 + 76 = 200
Barbara		155 + 45 = 200		Pam		122 + 78 = 200
Paul		140 + 60 = 200		Carlos		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% of 200, the chances of Team B winning the game would be more realistic. The game becomes a most pins over average contest.

     Since WIBC/ABC/YABA rules state that 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 competing teams. WIBC/ABC/YABA recommends handicap leagues use the individual or the team method of handicapping, so that both teams in a match have the benefit of handicap. See Rules 101k and 609 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% of 200 is used.
 
 

	Actual Average	Handicap 100% of 200
Kathy	130	70
Linda	140	60
Ashley	125	75
Keith	135	65
Ed	170	30
		300 (handicap for the team)

(200 minus average of 100% equals bowler's handicap.

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, 90% 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
Total	700	Total	685
Handicap	100	Handicap	115

Handicap for Team C: 800 scratch - 700 team average is 100 X 100% = 100 pins handicap for each game.

Handicap for Team D: 800 scratch - 685 team average is 115 X 100% = 115.

Entering Averages

     The league decides by rule the number of games required to establish an average. When bowlers have had previous league experience, the league may use these averages as entering averages for computing handicap on the first night of competition, or until they have established an average based on the league rule.

     For new bowlers who have no previous league experience or average, the league may:

1. Handicap them from a set figure, for example 100, until they have established an average based on league rule, or
2. Use a "retroactive" handicap, computed after the bowler's first three games, to be applied to that series and the next series in which the bowler competes.