Does anyone else see an issue with scratch bowlers being able to get in handicapped brackets.  Before you answer, here is my problem.

The tournament I bowled this weekend, the handicap brackets were based on 90% of 220.  Naturally, there were several 220+ bowlers getting in every bracket they could.  And they should have, and here's why.  If you average 230 and you shoot your average in handicap brackets, you get 230.  If I average 210 and shoot my average, with handicap, I get 219.  Basically, the 230 average bowler gets 10 pins advantage because the the handicap is based on 220.

No matter what you average, if it is less than 220, you have to shoot "over" your average to beat the scratch bowler who only has to bowl his average.

Needless to say the scratch bowlers who shot their average or better, swept the brackets this weekend.

My thought is if you average more than what handicap brackets are based on, then you should have to give those pins back every game.  So, if you average 230, you loose 10 pins a game if they are based on 220.

Any thoughts.

A 180 average bowler is rarely going to shoot 240.  That's why they average 180.  Same with a 230 average bowler.  You average 230 because you have the skill-set to do so.  I would even go as far to say that the 230 average bowler has even a bigger advantage in tournaments because they have the skill-set to adjust to different conditions.

DOGTOWN .. I've been arguing your point on this site for years! I agree with you 100%. Don't remember when but ABC had come out with something about handicap .. don't recall exactly what they stated but I think it was 100% of 300 .. GOOD LUCK!

Lesson Learned. Don't get in brackets set up this way. These brackets were clearly created so the top average bowlers would win automatically. You might as well just called it a scratch bracket with "plenty of donators".

Even simpler solution: practice.

Think of all the handicapped tournaments you've bowled in.  Who generally wins?  Every time I bowl KOH or some crap like that I get screwed by the 180-200 bowler getting a crap load of pins!  A 180 avg bowler gets 36 STICKS A GAME!!!! If I shoot 250, 250, 250=750 that's a good set and would lose to a 180 going 215,214,214 + 108 of handicap= 751.  That is why I try to steer clear of handicapped tourns and such and why I always get in as many brackets as possible to even out.  There's always some way to complain that someone is getting an advantage.  My thought is "Shut up and bowl" 

Most of the handicap tournaments in my area are rolled on sport shots and most of the 230 guys average 180 or lower on them so the hadicap bowlers crush the scratch guys.Replying to the poster of this topic the tournament director should adjust the handicap percentage up to 230 or higher,but heres something alot of people don't consider about 230 average bowlers(most of their average comes from one big game most of the time) You can shoot 279 211 200 and that's a 230 average,i see this all the time in league with the guys who average 230 one big game makes there average. Does this really count as a 230 average when the bowler only shot one game over 230?

However you avg 230, youre still avging 230. Whether you go 230,230,230 or 190,200,300, youre still avging 230. And if youre doing it consistently, then how can criticize that? Lets try to not belittle someone else's accomplishments. Again, end of the day, that person is avging big for a reason. Handicap is in place to even the field, that is all and thats all it should be. Handicap is always a touchy subject but not the problem, nor scratch bowlers doing what theyre supposed to do. Which is strike... A LOT! Can get mad at a bowler for doing what they are supposed to do.

Just don't get in brackets.
That way you break even every time.

That's my philosophy.

Seems to work for me.

Only time I will get in brackets is at Nationals.