USPA Eastern Circuit

Proposed Eastern Circuit Handicap System

Amir Pirasteh, Eastern Circuit LT. Governor
Dan Colhoun, Former USPA Treasurer
Clint Nangle, USPA Governor at Large
Jim Burton, Eastern Circuit Governor

The following pages are an explanation of a proposed Circuit Handicap System that may be used within the Eastern Circuit in addition to the current or proposed 1/2 goal National Handicap system.

Our goal in developing this system was to more fairly break up the current compression experienced in the -1 to 1 goal handicap ratings. The system is designed to put more evenly matched teams playing against each other, and to eliminate the minus or negative handicap description.

The first two documents outline in broad terms how this will be accomplished. The final document will follow several scenarios to better explain how this handicapping system will work.

This is a proposed system and the committee worked diligently to try to answer most of the questions that you might have. That doesn't mean that we are wed to these principles and are willing to change whatever the consensus of players in the circuit think will work best.

So we ask that you take the time and give us the feed back that you think will improve or validate the system we have designed.

If this system proves to be more manageable and produce better results than the current or proposed 1/2 goal system, we can present it to the USPA and ask for its adoption across the nation.

But mostly, we hope that it works better for our circuit and that we get better polo because of it.

Put Some Fun In Ratings For Low Goal Players!

The Circuit Handicap System

The Circuit Handicap System (CHS) is a low-goal rating system designed to coexist with our current system, referred to as the National Handicap System (NHS).

Features of the CHS:

 Breaks up compression at the low goal level. In the present system too many players of widely varying abilities carry the same handicap rating.

 No undesirable negative ratings.

 For 6 goal tournaments and under. Low goal only.

 For 4 goal National Handicap System players and under.

 The solution to the dire need to offer individuals differing handicaps for summer CHS polo and winter Florida NHS polo.

 A two-tiered system. The NHS stays as it is.

 Handicap ratings by the circuit handicap committees.

 Mobility of handicap review. 30-day reviews by circuit handicap committee.

 Allows for handicap advancement

 Boosts pride of handicap.

 Can include arena polo.

 Written criteria for ratings at each level: 4 goal NHS players will be rated 12 or 15 down to the lowest level of rated players at 1. No negative ratings, zeroes, fractions, or decimals.

This general concept has been around a long time. It’s time to give it a test. In fact this Circuit Handicapping System is being used very successfully at clubs such as Lancaster and Westchester.

It’s a system designed to bring in new players too.

We welcome your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks.

The Circuit Handicap System

The Circuit Handicap System (“CHS”) is a low-goal circuit-level handicapping system designed to coexist with the current national system (referred to herein as the National Handicap System or “NHS”). It is designed to provide solutions to the following issues: (1) the handicap compression at the lower levels of the sport; (2) the negative ratings that detract from the appeal of the sport; and (3) the need to distinguish between handicaps designed for summer polo and handicaps for polo in Florida and other high-goal centers.

The CHS will be limited to events with an upper team handicap limit under the NHS of 6 goals or less. Consequently, in outdoor polo, the CHS will be limited to players with current NHS handicaps of 4 goals or less.

The CHS includes handicaps ranging from 1 (for NHS minus-one rated players) to 15 (for NHS 4-goal players). NHS -2 (or C) rated players are not given a numerical handicap under the CHS, but are in the Novice category. CHS Novice players are not eligible to participate in any matches or events. However, as soon as Novice players understand the basics of the game, which usually will not take more than a few lessons, they will be given a CHS handicap of 1.

Initially, the players’ handicaps will be converted from the NHS to the CHS according to the table below. However, CHS handicaps can be reviewed by the Circuit Handicap Committee every 30 days and are subject to subsequent adjustments without affecting the players’ NHS handicaps in any way. Written criteria for each CHS handicap are currently being developed and will be circulated as soon as possible.

NHS	CHS
-2	Novice
-1	1,2
0	3,4
1	5,6
2	9
3	12
4	15

It should be noted that the above table is just a guideline for the Circuit Handicap Committee and does not give NHS handicapped players the right to demand their corresponding CHS handicap.

Download the Word Document below to view several scenarios that explain how team handicaps are developed.

It will show the differences between the National Handicap system and the Circuit Handicap System.

This document is safe to download.

Down Load this Word Document

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