06 Mar Updated Handicaps

As some have noticed, the handicaps initially entered in Bowlsnet for the Bistro, Team KO and Sub Team KO competitions were not correct. Unfortunately gremlins managed to get into the works and we ended up with some quite strange numbers in the system.

It was clear these needed correcting, however it gave rise to some healthy debate and constructive thoughts/ideas in the bowling community. So, rather than just going with the usual handicaps we decided to pause and take the opportunity to review things, taking on board some of those thoughts and ideas. The review looked at past results, handicaps and the way they were allocated. The recommendations, agreed by the committee, were to increase handicaps for lower division teams and at the same time have more differentiation between teams at the top, middle and bottom of each division. As a result we have now arrived at a fresh set of handicaps together with an improved methodology to create and, if need be, refine them for following seasons.

In brief, the focus is on having a handicap for teams at the bottom of Div 5 so they can take the fight to whoever they draw. Once this is determined, handicaps are reduced incrementally from bottom to top by thirds of a division – arriving at scratch for the top third of Div 1 teams. The spread is calculated mathematically to one decimal place and then rounded. Please note the order of teams for allocating handicaps is the previous seasons finishing position after the ups and downs for relegation and promotion have been applied. It sounds a little complicated but hopefully the details below will help make it clearer.  One thing to keep in mind, compared to last year there is a small increase in the handicap for teams towards the bottom of Division 1. This may seem at odds with our intentions, however there are much greater increases further down the divisions that more than compensate. The important thing to look at is the net difference.

The new handicaps can now be seen on Bowlsnet and will hopefully help make our team knock-out competitions closer and more exciting.

Please note the Julie Fuller competition handicaps all went correctly into Bowlsnets, so no changes to come. The sharp eyed will have noticed that these have already been uplifted for 2023 to give increased handicaps and help closer competition.

If the new handicaps work well and create closer competition this year the approach will be continued. There will be a review to see what, if any, refinements are needed at the end of the season. In the meantime good luck to all the teams for this forthcoming season.