What is Handicap in Bowling?

A handicap score is a number that reflects your playing ability in a sport (e.g. bowling, golf). Your handicap number is based on the average score of your past games.

In bowling, this number is calculated using a straightforward set of calculations involving basic arithmetic and some previous records. 

This article will shed light on the importance of a handicap and how it’s determined, and it will explain the other technical aspects of its calculations.

What Is A Handicap In Bowling?

A handicap in bowling is a system of skill set evaluation for the players of a league. It ensures a level playing field so that players from all different levels of expertise can compete against each other in a competitive way. 

In simpler terms, for a new player, it can get difficult when you’re competing against more experienced players in tournaments or leagues.

However, with the handicap score system, these players are able to play against other players who have different levels of abilities.

When a player first registers with a league or a tournament, he/she will be assigned a handicap number based on the bowling skill level of the individual. 

How Do Bowling Handicaps Work?

Every bowler playing in a league has their own bowling handicap. For new bowlers, their bowling handicap is determined by their skill level.

The “bonus” points you’re awarded at the end of each game all depend on your handicap score. The higher your handicap score is, the more bonus points you’ll be awarded.

For example, if your handicap in bowling is forty points, then if you play a game and get 140, you’ll end up with (140+40=180) points.

But, if you had a higher handicap score of like sixty, you would end with more overall points. That’s how your handicap score impacts your results in a bowling game.

Note: The bowling handicap system varies for different tournaments and leagues. However, the gist of it remains the same.

It provides beginners with a boost in scores so that they have a chance at winning, even when playing against the more experienced players.

What is the Purpose of a Bowling Handicap Calculation?

The whole purpose of a handicap bowling calculation is to provide a level playing field for newbies and beginner players.

It helps to introduce new players into the world of bowling. This also enables players from various levels of expertise to compete with one another.

However, some bowling circles have been on the critical side when it comes to this system of skill set evaluation. They argue that the handicap system is bad for the game.

The handicap system has been blamed for undermining the good performances of the more experienced players. The critics argue that players who are in handicapped tournaments, frequently win games unfairly.

How to Calculate Your Handicap in Bowling?

Calculating your handicap in bowling is fairly simple. However, it’s important to understand how this calculation is determined if you’re a newbie or a beginner to the sport.

So, take a pen and a piece of paper and start making notes. We have put together the most simple way for you to calculate your bowling handicap score.

The bowling handicap score is made up of a percentage determined by the difference between the bowler’s average and the basis average.

Before we look into the calculations further, let’s learn some important bowling terminologies regarding “scores.”

Basis Score

The basis average is a team score that’s intended to be higher than an individual bowler’s average.

For an entire league, this score is based on the average of the best bowler. This score mostly ends up being between 250-350.

For example, if the best player in the league has an average of 205, the league will then assign the basis score to be greater than the best bowler’s average. Let’s say it’s 200 in our case.

Average Score

The bowler’s average score is simply the average of all the scores from their individual games, divided by the number of games they’ve competed in.

For example, if the bowler scored the following points in five games that they’ve played in:

139, 137, 144, 145, 149.

Then the bowler’s average score would be (139 + 137 + 144 +145 + 149) divided by 5 = 142.8.

However, if you end up with a fraction in your calculated average score, just round it off to make it whole. For Example, the average in our case would be 143.

Percentage Factor

This is simply a factor (or percentage) assigned to the bowler when calculating his handicap score.

In our case, let’s just assume it’s a percentage factor of 85%.

Calculation

Since we have our values, now let’s calculate the bowling handicap of our player.

Formula: (Basis Score – Average Score) x percentage factor.

(200-143) = 57

57 x 85% = 49.3

After dropping the fraction = 49

Therefore, the handicap score for our case is forty-nine. This means you will add forty-nine points to your score after every game.

For example, if you play a game of 140, you will add forty-nine points to that score making your total score 189.

The Formula for a Bowling Handicap

The formula for calculating the bowling handicap is (Basis Score – Average Score) x Percentage Factor.

The basis score is always pre-defined by the league or the managing body of the tournament.

While the average score is the bowler’s total average from all their previously played games.

Here’s a quick summary regarding the calculation of the handicap bowling score:

• Find out the basis score by asking the relevant league/tournament organization.
• Calculate the average score by calculating the average of total points scored in each game and then dividing by the number of games you’ve played.
• Subtract your average score from the basis score.
• Finally, multiply the result by the percentage factor, which is again given to you by your league.

The Controversy of Handicap Scoring

The handicap scoring system has been through a lot of scrutiny and controversy in the past year. The bowling, as well as the golfing community, has brought their fair share of reservations to the table.

The critics claim that people may also be using the handicap system to gain an unfair advantage. This also damages the skill development process.

Knowing that whatever the final score may be, a handicap adjustment will take place at the end, meaning a certain player might intentionally lower their average. This is what they call sandbagging.

As the name itself suggests, a handicap is for the players who believe they can’t compete without external support – they are then handicapped.

More experienced players argue that the handicapped system should be nullified as it discourages the new players from actually trying to be good at the game.

A bowling world that doesn’t have a handicap system will also encourage growth and skill improvement for the newbies.

Conclusion

A Bowling Handicap Score is an important number in the world of bowling. This not only allows the newbies a level playing field, but it also enables them to play against the other more experienced players without being totally outplayed. 

The handicap bowling score has multiple components that will contribute to its calculation. You’ll need a basis score, an average score, and a percentage factor to find your bowling handicap.

The handicap scores may differ from league to league, but the main idea still remains the same. It’s a depiction of your skill set.

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