Guide to Handicaps
An archery handicap is a number between 0 and 100, it indicates the ability of an archer. The lower the handicap the better the archer. Every archer has one outdoor handicap and a separate indoor handicap for each bow style they shoot.
Handicap tables are produced by GNAS which give a handicap for every possible score for every round irrespective of the archer’s age, gender or the bow style used. The handicap tables can be purchased from GNAS.
The archery handicap system has three uses:
- It helps archers to monitor their progress.
- Enables scores to be compared between different rounds.
- Enables archers of different abilities to compete on equal terms.
Calculating a Handicap
Calculating a handicap is the same for both indoors and outdoors. This section describes how a handicap is calculated for an archer without a handicap, how it is modified during the season and then what happens at the end of a season.
Initial Handicap
For archers without a handicap their initial figure is the average of the handicaps for the first three official rounds recorded. All handicaps are quoted in whole numbers and the average must be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
For example if an archer shoots 3 outdoor rounds with handicaps of 64, 70 and 69 then the initial handicap is 68 (64+70+69=203, 203÷3=67.6, round up = 68).
During the Season
When an archer has established a handicap it can be improved after each round shot. If a round is shot with a handicap at least 2 handicap points better than their current figure, then the archer's new handicap is the average of the current handicap and the handicap for the round just completed. As with the initial handicap this must be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
For example:
- An archer with a handicap of 68 shoots a round with a handicap of 68, the handicap remains 68 (no point difference)
- An archer with a handicap of 68 shoots a round with a handicap of 70, the handicap remains 68 (68+70=138. 138÷2=69, handicap’s do not increase so remains at 68)
- An archer with a handicap of 68 shoots a round with a handicap of 67, the handicap remains 68 (only 1 point difference)
- An archer with a handicap of 68 shoots a round with a handicap of 66, the handicap becomes 67 (68+66=134. 134÷2=67)
- An archer with a handicap of 68 shoots a round with a handicap of 65, the handicap becomes 67 (68+66=133. 133÷2=66.5, round up = 67)
- An archer with a handicap of 68 shoots a round with a handicap of 61, the handicap becomes 65 (68+61=129. 129÷2=64.5, round up = 65)
End of Archery Season
Handicaps can be used to enable archers of all standards to compete against each other. This is achieved by adding a certain number of points onto an archers score at the end of the round. The lower an archer’s handicap, the fewer points get added to his score. The winner is the archer with the most points after the handicap has been taken into account. The number of points to be added is included in the Archery GB handicap tables held by the clubs Records Officer.
Using Handicaps in Competition
Handicaps can be used to enable archers of all standards to compete against each other. This is achieved by adding a certain number of points onto an archers score at the end of the round. The lower an archer’s handicap, the fewer points get added to his score. The winner is the archer with the most points after the handicap has been taken into account. The number of points to be added is included in the Archery GB handicap tables.