Expert: Chip Aki - 8/30/2007

Question
HI:
  I've been bowling for years so I understand the rules and how the handicap system works. I am forming a mildly competitive league with bowlers of varying skills. Some bowlers probably will have and average around 100, while the better bowlers will average 170 or so. The question is, which handicap systerm do you think create the most equal playing field giving all of the bolwers the fairest chance? Thanks

Answer
The USBC has done studies that 116 % makes the lower average teams able to win about half of the time.  Having said that, I havent ever seen that used anywhere.  Most leagues will use 80-90% and base if off of 220 now.  One thing that might even work better would be to base the handicap on the difference between the teams averages and use 90%.

Good luck,
Chip