Handicap Revelation

[RobLV1]

This year my wife and I have bowled in a very strange senior recreational league. It is strange because it is much less about competition than it is about a savings program. No subs are allowed, so any time a bowler is absent, their lineage goes into the prize fund. In addition, there is very little difference between first place money and last place money. Despite these things, the league does everything it can to keep high average bowlers from dominating. Handicap is based on 95% of 230. At first I thought this was really wierd, however now, at the end of the season, I reflect back on the fact that I have never seen such a high percentage of games come down to the tenth frame. Perhaps a higher handicap percentage isn't such a bad idea after all!

[jab5325]

Wow, that's different--I can't say I've ever seen 95% of 230.

How long has this league been around? How many teams/bowlers are in it?

[LyalC52]

I realize it comes down to that particular group of bowler.
But wouldn't you think a handicap structure like that, encourages sandbagging?

[RobLV1]

Wow, that's different--I can't say I've ever seen 95% of 230.

How long has this league been around? How many teams/bowlers are in it?

I've never seen it before either. I don't know how long the league has been around, but I know that it is at least five years. The league consistists of 36 four-man teams.

[RobLV1]

I realize it comes down to that particular group of bowler.
But wouldn't you think a handicap structure like that, encourages sandbagging?

It would, except that returning bowlers start with their ending averages from the previous year, and new bowlers are brought in at their highest average over the past year, including summer leagues, and leagues in which they have subbed for at least 12 games. I was brought in at twelve pins over my book average based on one league where I had bowled only twelve games.

[Mike White]

I realize it comes down to that particular group of bowler.
But wouldn't you think a handicap structure like that, encourages sandbagging?

It sounds like there are indicators of sandbagging.

When bowlers are trying to do just enough to win, you get a lot of close matches.

[RobLV1]

It sounds like there are indicators of sandbagging.

When bowlers are trying to do just enough to win, you get a lot of close matches.

These are totally recreational bowlers. Most of them didn't even start bowling until well into retirement. I have never seen any indication that anyone is doing any less than their honest best in this league. It's really easy to fall into the sandbagger under every rock mentality.