Our bowling captain suggested holding down an average. How do I refuse without turning it into a row at the lanes?
Sports"Don't give them your best games straight away," our captain said while we were discussing the new handicap league. I asked whether he meant taking time to settle in. He said a lower starting average would help us later.
I've joined a USBC-certified adult league. I wanted an evening of bowling with people who would help me learn the format, and I'm not comfortable deliberately scoring below what I can do. The [USBC playing rules, Rule 17a](https://images.bowl.com/bowl/media/assets/usbc/rules/general%20pdfs/usbc-playing-rulebook-26-27.pdf) identify establishing an average below ability to gain an unfair advantage as unfair tactics.
I haven't bowled the opening league session yet. Another teammate rolled his eyes and said the captain was only joking, but the captain repeated that I should be smart about it.
What would you say before the session starts, and at what point would you ask the league secretary to clarify the arrangement? I want to bowl normally without turning a suggestion into an accusation I can't support.