Sunny Hale’s New Rating System for Women’s Polo Handicaps

Sunny Hale.

The Women’s Handicap and Translation Chart was created by Sunny Hale , in an attempt to address the compression issue of players rated (-2) to 2 goals. The new Women’s Handicap and Translation Chart is for use in women’s polo tournaments only and does not affect any other handicap or ability to play in mixed co-ed polo.

Women’s Handicap Process:
The Women’s Handicap and any changes to it, will be assessed by the Women’s Handicap Committee .The process includes two steps to reach a final handicap assessment. These steps include a Translation Chart and the use of benchmark guidelines by handicappers and the Women’s Handicap Committee in their final determinations. A goal of this process is to create a system to better assess players for movement up and down the Handicap Scale of 0-10 with some clear guidelines of what is necessary.

Translation Chart:

Definition: a chart used to spread the compression issue of players rated (-2) to 2 goals to a wider scale of 0-10.The Translation Chart below will be used as step 1 in translating a player’s current handicap to the new women’s handicap scale of 0-10.

Translation Chart, Notes and Rules:

Translation Chart:
N = new to polo (never had a handicap anywhere in the world, new to polo)
-2 = N
-1 = 0
-.5 = 1
0 = 2
.5 = 3
1 = 4
1.5 = 5
2 = 6
3 = 8
4 = 9
5 and above = 10

Women’s Handicap Notes:
– Current Outdoor Handicap is the left side number; new Women’s Handicap is the
number on the right.
– Women’s Handicap scale will be from 0 – 10 goals (0= lowest, 10= highest/best)
– The letter N stands for “new to polo” and is to be assigned to brand new players
signing up who have never had a handicap anywhere in the world, are new to
polo and /or hold a current Outdoor Handicap of (-2).

Women’s Handicap Rules:
– Women’s Handicaps are for use in women’s polo tournaments only
– The translation chart is only to be used when first obtaining a Women’s Handicap
to have a start point number on the scale of (0) to 10.

– Once a woman’s handicap is established for the first time, any future changes to
the Women’s Handicap are to be done through the Women’s Handicap
Committee handicapping process and no longer by the translation chart.

– N’s can be reviewed for handicap increase at next handicap meetings after first
joining the USPA or obtaining the handicap of (-2). The sooner they join, the
sooner they will be eligible to receive a Handicap.

– Translation chart applies to both U.S. & International female players that have a
current outdoor handicap who are applying for a Women’s Handicap for the first
time.

– If an international player (female) has an Official Ladies handicap from another
country other than the U.S., that handicap will be honored as is and the Women’s
Handicap Committee will assess any changes to it. The Handicap must be from
the official governing body of the sport in the country where she holds the
handicap.