How the Handicap Point System Works

Handicaps are based on a point system. Players competing in sanctioned singles events will score points (plus or minus) based upon the results of each individual match. When a player accumulates a plus or minus of 28 points total, a handicap change should occur. Plus points indicate a lowering of handicap; minus points indicate an increase in handicap. To be eligible for a handicap change, players must play in at least one USCA sanctioned singles event per year. If they do not, their handicap will be listed as inactive. If inactivity continues for another year, they will be raised one handicap level. For a handicap to be lowered, a player must defeat a player of lower handicap at least once during the tracking period. The tracking period is the period from 0-28 points.

Level Play - Plus Points (handicap lowered)
A. Higher handicap player defeats lower handicap player:
1) 2 or more handicaps lower (6 defeats 4)	+ 8
2) 1 1/2 handicaps lower (5 defeats 3 1/2)	+ 7
3) 1 handicap lower (6 defeats 5)	+ 6
4) 1/2 handicap lower (1/2 defeats 0)	+ 5
B. Defeat player of equal handicap (6 defeats 6)	+ 4
C. Defeat player of higher handicap:
1) 1/2 handicap higher (0 defeats 1/2)	+ 3
2) 1 handicap higher (5 defeats 6)	+ 2
3) 1 1/2 or more handcaps higher (0 defeats 1 1/2)	+ 1
Level Play - Minus Points (handicap increase)
D. Lose to player of lower handicap (6 loses to 5)	-1
E. Lose to player of equal handicap (6 loses to 6)	- 4
F. Lose to player of higher handicap (6 loses to 7)	- 4
Handicap (Bisque) Play - Plus Points
G. Handicap difference is less than 5 (4 defeats 0)	+ 2
H. Handicap difference is 5 or more (6 defeats 0)	+ 1
Handicap (Bisque) Play - Minus Points
I. Handicap difference is less than 5 (4 loses to 0)	- 2
J. Handicap difference is 5 or more (6 loses 0)	- 1

The following information also applies:

Handicaps from 20 to 5 change by whole numbers; below 5 handicaps change by half numbers.

Each number or half-number change requires 28 tracking points.

Handicaps may never be changed during a tournament, only at the conclusion of a tournament. If at the end of a tournament a player has more than 28 points, his or her handicap will be lowered and the residue of tracking points above the number necessary to have the handicap lowered will be divided in half, and that number of tracking points will be applied to the new tracking period.

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Point System