Most leagues in my area are 90% or 100%.

Ours is 90 of 220
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Carl
Bless the LORD o my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name

I don't know of too many handicap leagues that I would consider being "big money" leagues.  This summer, we paid $15 a night, 4 man teams, ended up placing 6th, and we each won $50.  I wouldn't call that big money.  Especially when the league secretary surprised most of us by PAYING the center manager a tip of $50 and $250 to herself for "supplies" in addition to her secretary/tres. dues.  

I also don't mind NOT getting handicap if our team has a higher average base that week.  We bowl in one league where our 5 man team gives over 300 pins handicap a game about 4 or 6 times a year.  No matter how you slice it, its hard to make up some 350 pins a game.  We don't win the league every year because we have a high average team. Should we not let the lower average bowlers bowl?  Or make the league even the teams out so that family can't bowl with family or friends?  Its a handicap league and certainly not big money ($13 a week).  But its an opportunity for everyone to bowl with whoever they want, low and high average bowlers.  

The elitist high average bowler is so scorned by those under 150 average.  With some of the attitude I see here in this thread I'm not surprised.  Sure in a perfect world everyone would strive to get better and those that could would improve in a sliding scale that high level players would expect.  A handicap system would be determined that would make all players feel equal in ability to win.  But that doesn't happen.  

Like I said before, besides the two high level drafts, we have a 4 man 850 scratch.  That's an average of 212 a player.  So what about the 190 to 210 player?  They are below the average expected in that league.  And paying $30 a week, and not being close to the 850 cap tends to weed out the weaker teams.  

Erin

Giving individuals/teams handicap is inevitable.  And you can tell who controls the league by the type of handicap given for that league.  If it is 100% of "x", then it is obvious the league is dominated by lower average bowlers and if it is 80% of "x", then the league is probably dominated by higher average bowlers.  

To depart from the typical conversation, how about at correcting the situation.  Current options are:

     1.  Bowl the league "as is" and not worry about anything.
     2.  At the league meeting, propose a different handicap based on your preference.
     3.  Screw 1 & 2 and just bowl scratch.

But here in lies the problem.  Many people go to the first night's meetings and if the handicap isn't to their liking, and they can't get it changed, then what is one to do?  At this point in time the bowler is stuck with that league or try to "catch up" at another league that he might like better.  Why can't league information such as cost (lineage, prize fund, sec. fees), handicap %, and handicap base be decided at a time where people can choose the league that best suits their ability without having to jump through hoops to make a change?  

Around here, there just aren't any quality scratch leagues (I know of none and I live in a large city).  I haven't been out looking too much, but no one has ever asked me to bowl or about a scratch league.  

If you don't like the league's handicap, then either suck it up, quit the league, or wait till next year and change or leave the league.  

As far as the original post is concerned, having a "max" handicap can work, but I feel if everyone understands what the league has to offer well in advance, you will have fewer people complaining about how the league is run.

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I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com

Our men's handicap league is 80% of 220, with a cap at 64 pins.  Which basically says that if you average lower than 140 you're screwed.  We have 3 guys that average 220+ (all on different teams) and probably a couple under 140.  There are 3 or 4 teams consistently near the top, year after year, but the teams near the bottom aren't always the same.  We have a 30 point system, which puts some emphasis on winning your individual matchup with the person across from you on the other team, so that changes the dynamic somewhat.

The teams near the top are always the most competitive, and generally contain one of those 3 guys over 220, but have a real good mix of guys at 170 or higher.  They tend to make shots when it counts, and win the close games as well as their individual points.

I always ask to have the handicap raised to 90% of 230, just to level the field a bit and give other teams a chance at the top 3 spots, but there are always guys who can't do math that shoot it down.  Even guys with averages around 180 that would benefit, they're always afraid of that 140 average guy getting more pins.

Anyway, people need to forget about how many pins they have to "makeup" against these lower average teams, and just bowl.  I've always said to myself that if we are within 30 pins or so going into the 10th that it's a winnable game.  And once you pass a lower average team, the game is over.  If everyone bowls average, the better bowlers have the advantage, plain and simple.  It's those rare times that a bunch of guys averaging 140 shoot in the 180-200 range against us that have skewed our perception of reality.
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-Clint

See for me the problem with the handicap setup is simple say I throw a 135 average and Im consistant. Now say you throw a 220 average now how many weeks in a row can you hit that 220 average my point is that say an 80yr old man throws 135 generally they are quite accurate and consistant at most things they do where as say you the cranker for instance may throw that big game one night but what about next week when you are having trouble carrying? All examples are taken from that of handicap leagues Ive been on with my brother when I was a little younger.