Tournament Scoring Formats

Just like standard bowling leagues, you have your scratch and handicap scoring systems. For those who may be unfamiliar with what exactly scratch and handicap mean, below are basic explanations and how they apply to tournament bowling.

• Scratch – This scoring method is mainly used in tournaments where the most competitive bowlers participate. No additional scoring is given like you would get in a handicap tournament. What you bowl is exactly what you get. Scratch bowling events will typically have you bowling against the best bowlers in that area. If you are looking to test your abilities, then you will want to bowl in tournaments that have at least a scratch division if not run entirely scratch.

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• Handicap – Handicap events provide bowlers with some additional scoring assistance in order to help level the playing field among all of the bowlers. In events that feature a handicap, you will find bowlers of all skill levels. Handicap tournaments like to boast the fact that essentially any bowler can win on any given day. The amount of handicap that is given will vary depending on the type of event. Some offer a lot of handicap, others very little, and occasionally you will find a capped handicap limit. Handicap events are great tournaments to bowl in as you can go compete with other bowlers, have a great time bowling, and still have a great chance to win.

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• Combination – Some events will offer both a scratch and handicap division. You will most frequently find this format in City/State/National style tournaments. These events not only typically host 5-Man Team, Doubles and Singles events, but they more often than not will offer both a scratch and handicap division for each event. Which division you qualify for is based on your average levels. This allows the tournament to group to together the teams and individuals of like skill levels in order to maximize the competitiveness of the tournaments.

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