Since every league around here seems to have a different handicapping system, we use the ghost to determine how to rank new players who want to play in our weekly handicapped 9-ball tournaments. Our handicapping system goes from -4 (which is like an E) up to 10 (A++), and we make the fine adjustments based on the player's actual tournament performance, but we use this system as a very simple starting point:
A++, Pro - better than even money to beat the 10-ball ghost
A - same odds against 9-ball ghost
B - " 6-ball ghost
C - " 4-ball ghost
D - " 3-ball ghost
E - even money to make a BIH shot
Or, if someone already claims to know what they are, we generally let them start at that.
Aaron
I always liked this especially when evaluating rotation play. It must be noted that the ghost is a reflection of how you run out. Intangables such as a strong moving game could cause an A to play a touch better if their safety and game management is better.
Everyone is correct though in stating that the pro players and shortstops exceed the A-D scale, the difference between them becomes hard to tell. Man would it be great to just have a scale to rate players that reflected their ability. Golf and bowling are the perfect handicap games because there is a fixed calcuated number that states how good you are, in pool we are all guessing.