UTR - use to handicap a match like golf?

[tennisisgood]

Hi,
Background: in golf, the handicap system allows players of different abilities (handicaps) to compete on a level playing field (course).
For example, if my handicap is 5 and yours is 25 then I give you 20 stokes. Therefore, if I beat you by 20 strokes then we have tied.

Question: is it possible to use UTR in a similar way? For example, if my UTR is 7 and yours is 5.5 is there a calculation that we can make to level the playing field (court)? I give you 4 games per set etc. UTR's comparison chart for men, women, NTRP, juniors, pros.

Indeed, is there/should there be a similar handicap system for NTRP?

 

[RyanRF]

I haven't heard of this being done and don't know what calculation would be appropriate.

Potentially it could work though, as long as the UTR gap wasn't too big. No amount of games gifted would give me a chance against a legit collegiate player. Maybe if it was 5 games per set and we always start 40-0 in my favor.... At that point though, it wouldn't be fun for either of us.

Golf handicap is different since it's indirect competition. With my 15 handicap I could compete against a scratch golfer and we'd both have a good time. Whoever has a good day would win.

 

[tennisisgood]

I haven't heard of this being done and don't know what calculation would be appropriate.

Potentially it could work though, as long as the UTR gap wasn't too big. No amount of games gifted would give me a chance against a legit collegiate player. Maybe if it was 5 games per set and we always start 40-0 in my favor.... At that point though, it wouldn't be fun for either of us.

Golf handicap is different since it's indirect competition. With my 15 handicap I could compete against a scratch golfer and we'd both have a good time. Whoever has a good day would win.

Thanks.
Yes, would only work if the range of game gifts wasn’t ridiculous. That’s what I’m hoping UTR could offer.

 

[DCNJ]

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[Traffic]

I'm not sure how much calibration is needed. But if you wanted to play against someone that is obvious (little) better or worse and provide a handicap.

You can start at 15-love in weaker player's favor. Or can start (-)15-love to the stronger player. That makes it easier to win a game or harder to win a game.

The problem is that tennis percentage is very sensitive. A player that wins 60% of the points will win 6-0.

 

[user92626]

We play with handicaps alot. I don't know any formal calculation. We just use trial and errors and adjustments and haggling.

Handicaps do enable us with vastly different skill levels to play competitively and very fun. For instance I would give an older player, 25 or 30 years my senior (he never confirmed his age) 2 games, 2 points each game, my full dubs court for him to hit into.

Lately my players have become chicken ****s and drawn back into their shells again. They wouldn't play anything unless given absurd handicaps. Alot of time it's like two so called brawlers challenging one another to a fight while standing 100 feet apart.

 

[ShaunS]

Golf handicap is different since it's indirect competition. With my 15 handicap I could compete against a scratch golfer and we'd both have a good time. Whoever has a good day would win.

This is what I came to say, but you've already nailed it.

I wonder if it could also have the unintended effect of actually making a match less competitive, and I'll explain. If I'm playing against opponent(s) who are clearly below my level, I'm not going to go for my "best stuff". For example, if I know they can't return a particular serve, I'll hit something else so we can all actually hit some balls.

If I'm spotting them games, I'll be more likely to go for those shots they can't handle to catch up on the margin.

Yes, would only work if the range of game gifts wasn’t ridiculous. That’s what I’m hoping UTR could offer.

I don't believe that UTR, or any other current system, has the precision at identifying a player's ability to make it reliable enough.

That said, UTR already has the data on what they expect to happen. If Player X plays Player Y they will win by 4 games. Knowing that would be a pretty easy way to issue the handicap, but I suspect they'll not want to share that data.

 

[tennisisgood]

I will hack their system and report back.

 

[5sets]

Hi,
Background: in golf, the handicap system allows players of different abilities (handicaps) to compete on a level playing field (course).
For example, if my handicap is 5 and yours is 25 then I give you 20 stokes. Therefore, if I beat you by 20 strokes then we have tied.

Question: is it possible to use UTR in a similar way? For example, if my UTR is 7 and yours is 5.5 is there a calculation that we can make to level the playing field (court)? I give you 4 games per set etc. UTR's comparison chart for men, women, NTRP, juniors, pros.

Indeed, is there/should there be a similar handicap system for NTRP?

Yup, absolutely. UTR doesn’t do it in sanctioned events obviously but on the scrappy park courts we do it all the time. 9 UTR plays a 7 UTR down 30 Love every game at $20 a set. The levels have to be close enough for it to be competive. Even at 30 Love down a 10 UTR would blow out a 7.

 

[tennisisgood]

Yup, absolutely. UTR doesn’t do it in sanctioned events obviously but on the scrappy park courts we do it all the time. 9 UTR plays a 7 UTR down 30 Love every game at $20 a set. The levels have to be close enough for it to be competive. Even at 30 Love down a 10 UTR would blow out a 7.

Great to hear. You are the first person I’ve heard to handicap in tennis.

 

[5sets]

Great to hear. You are the first person I’ve heard to handicap in ten own.

Ha, so you posed the question as you a 7.00 UTR to play a 5.5. This is a little bit more complicated as 7.00 UTR is a strong 4.0 / could be 4.5 NTRP and 5.5 would be a very weak 4.0/borderline high 3.5.

Give them 2-0 up every set (you have to win 6 games and they only have to win 4), in addition to up 15-Love.