Handicaps

Croquet has a handicap system that allows players of different ability levels to play games against each other with an equal probability of either player winning. When playing handicap games the weaker player receives extra turns depending on the difference between the handicaps.

We use the Croquet England Automated Handicapping System (AHS) for both Association and Golf Croquet. This involves separate handicaps and cards to record the results of your non-friendly singles games (White cards for Association and Green for Golf). These handicaps are not necessarily related to each other, but often correlate.

Association Handicaps range from beginners at 24 down to -3 for the top players. Golf Croquet Handicaps vary from 16 to -6 (this scale was last revised in 2016).

Details on how to use the AHS system are on the front of the cards which are available in the Club House. You can see how to fill in the Golf Handicap Card. (Filling in the Association one is a little simpler.)

If you want something to calculate how many bisques you’re giving/receiving and how many points to adjust your AHS index when you win/lose then here’s an online calculator. Our very own John Greenwood has also written an iOS app for Golf Croquet which you can download from the Apple App Store.

Our Club Handicappers are responsible for monitoring and adjusting the handicaps of players with a handicap of more than 8 (Association) and 3 (Golf). Contact them via the Committee page. Handicappers appointed by Croquet England are able to adjust handicaps for players with handicaps less than these.

An analysis of our handicap spread for both Association and Golf, including a comparison with some years from 2009 onwards, can be seen here.