Handicap Definition
In certain sports, a type of average point value, called a handicap, is used to allow competitors of varying abilities and experience to compete with each other. The handicap offsets the game so essentially the person who scores the most points above (or below in golf) their average score is the winner. American sports that allow handicaps include golf, bowling and polo.
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Golf
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Golf handicaps are usually calculated by the U.S. Golf Association through your home golf club and take into account scores, and the slope and difficulty rating of each course. The difference between two competitors' handicaps determines the amount of "free strokes" granted the person with the worse handicap.
Bowling
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In bowling, handicaps are generally used in team competitions. According to Ten-pinBowling.com, "the handicap is calculated by adding together all of the averages on the team and then subtracting that total from a pre-determined scratch mark (usually 1,000)."
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Polo
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In polo, each player is rated on a two to 10 scale, based on abilities and past performances. The ratings of all players on a team are then added to generate a team handicap.
Differences
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In golf, handicaps give less-skilled players extra shots over a competitor with a better average score; in bowling, the person who bests his handicap by the most pins is the winner; and in polo, the team with the lower handicap starts the game with goal points equal to the difference in team handicaps (the better team starts at zero).
Famous Ties
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According to Golflink.com, "Tiger Woods is believed to have a plus-10 handicap." This is significant, as most golfers have negative numbered handicaps.
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References
Resources
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