Bowling Handicap Calculator
Understanding the Bowling Handicap
A bowling handicap is a tool used in league play to level the playing field between bowlers of different skill levels. It allows a beginner or intermediate bowler to compete fairly against a high-average professional or expert bowler. Essentially, the handicap is a set of "bonus pins" added to your actual (scratch) score for each game.
The Formula for Bowling Handicap
The calculation relies on three main numbers: your average, the league basis score, and the league percentage. The standard mathematical formula used by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and most leagues is:
Handicap = (Basis Score – Player Average) × Percentage
Note: If the result is a fraction, most leagues drop the fraction (round down to the nearest whole number). If your average is higher than the basis score, your handicap is typically zero.
Examples of Handicap Calculation
- Example 1: If the league basis is 210, the percentage is 90%, and your average is 150.
(210 – 150) = 60.
60 × 0.90 = 54.
Handicap: 54 pins. - Example 2: If the league basis is 200, the percentage is 80%, and your average is 175.
(200 – 175) = 25.
25 × 0.80 = 20.
Handicap: 20 pins.
Why Use a Basis Score?
The basis score is usually set slightly higher than the highest average in the league. This ensures that every player receives some handicap pins, though the better players receive significantly fewer than those with lower averages. Common basis scores include 200, 210, or 220.