Been playing APA over a decade, made it to Vegas 7 out of the last 11 years. The severely under handicapped/over handicapped players make up a small percentage of the players I've faced out there. Canadians were specifically under handicapped, a lot played snooker and were excellent shots. Their normal competition were other Canadians, so I can understand how they earned their handicaps.
In Chicago we definitely have our share of sandbaggers. I let my LO know, whether he acts on it or not is out of my control. I do not endorse sandbagging and when we face sand baggers I just tell my players to play their game. If you get too wrapped up in worrying about your opponent you neglect your own game. Worry about what is in your control, not what is out of your control. I you get raised so be it. If you don't like it then quit. No one is making you play in the APA, there are other leagues. It will never be a perfect system, I've seen people go down in handicap on a win, go up because their opponent lost by scratching on an 8 ball, etc. If you try to make sense out of it you will just frustrate yourself.
In Chicago we definitely have our share of sandbaggers. I let my LO know, whether he acts on it or not is out of my control. I do not endorse sandbagging and when we face sand baggers I just tell my players to play their game. If you get too wrapped up in worrying about your opponent you neglect your own game. Worry about what is in your control, not what is out of your control. I you get raised so be it. If you don't like it then quit. No one is making you play in the APA, there are other leagues. It will never be a perfect system, I've seen people go down in handicap on a win, go up because their opponent lost by scratching on an 8 ball, etc. If you try to make sense out of it you will just frustrate yourself.