Figuring 90% individual handicap "in my head"

[Frank Goebel]

Often, I have subs come in and the members invariably ask me what the guy's handicap will be (even before they tell me the sub's average).

Once I do get that average, I preface my response with a note that I'd have to verify the sub's average with the area yearbooks, but then I continue.

My league uses 90% to 230 for individuals; I have a quick way to calculate a handicap in my head for that. Naturally, the higher the average, the easier. I do have the ability to do some math in my head, so that helps.

But even before that, I already know that any average ending in a zero will be easy, and the handicap will be a multiple of 9 (190 average: 36 handicap, 90% of 40). And, any average ending in a 9 will be the same as for the average one pin higher (189 average: also 36 pins handicap).

For any average ending in 1-8, I mentally subtract it from 230. So, a 204 average is a difference of 26. Here's where creative subtraction come in: I use the tens digit (the "2"), and add 1, making it 3. I subtract 3 from the 26, leaving me with 23. 23 is the handicap for a 204 average in our league's formula.

A second example: Bowler average 187, difference 13 (to bring it up to 200) plus 30 (bring up to 230) to make 43. Tens digit is a 4, add 1 to make it 5, subtract 5 from 43, I get 38 for a handicap.

It's that little subtraction that changes the 100% difference into a 90% handicap. It's tougher math for other percentages.

In another thread, you'll see that everyone weighing in suggests an even number for an average base, and percentages end in a zero (though I have seen 85% used). I'd need a calculator for anything other than 100% or 90%.

[Bob Lanouette]

9 times the difference and dropping the last digit is still simpler to me!

[Dusty Clark]

I use the same method as Frank. It's basically dividing by 10% instead of multiplying by 90%. Ah, the wonder of mathematics.

[Bob Lanouette]

Actually, I usually don't have to do it . I have a 'cheat sheet' imprinted on an postcard sized card that is kept in each team's pay envelope. Of course, I have to assume that the team captain's know how to add: the cheat sheet only goes up to 100, soooooo 90&#37; of 100 + 90% of 30 (for a team difference of 130) is............. Usually 1 out the 10 guys knows a little math <g>