Why It Is Used

• A bowling handicap is used to help level the difference in skill and ability of bowlers bowling against each other.
  
  

Base Average Score

• A base average score is determined by taking a number higher than the highest average score. Typically, a base average score between 200 and 220 is used.
  
  

Handicap Percentage

• A handicap percentage is the percentage difference between a bowler's average score and the base average. A 100 percent handicap, or "full" handicap, is the highest percentage used and is the most beneficial to bowlers with a low average score.
  
  

How to Calculate a Bowling Handicap

• Determine your average bowling score. Take that score and subtract it from a base average score. Multiply that total by the handicap percentage to get your handicap score. Decimals are rounded to the nearest whole number.
  
  

Team Handicaps

• A bowling team handicap is determined by calculating the handicaps of each bowler and adding them together. That number is added to the team total score to get the handicap score.