Handicap

[UrbanSpaceman]

I've heard mention of a golf-like hanicap which gives us newbies a chance against everybody else. How does this work then ?
How do you get one ?

[TJ Mason]

The GNAS publishes a set of tables. Each table shows how the scores for each round correspond to a handicap value. There are separate tables for women, men, juniors, recurves, compounds and barebow.

Your handicap is calculated as the average of the handicap values for your three best rounds. So when you shoot a better round than previously, your handicap drops.

Clubs are responsible for operating the handicap system -- there's no central register. Separate handicaps are maintained for indoors and outdoors. Handicaps are used at certain shoots to "level the playing field".

I'm not too keen on handicaps personally.

The GNAS is currently in the process of revising its handicap tables. Apparently, the copyright of the existing ones belongs to a "D Lane", and it seems this has caused problems.

[Andy]

I think handicaps are also a useful indication of how an archer is progressing. As you improve your handicap drops.

I hope after the GNAS review the new handicaps will not be copyright this will allow more people to produce programs to calculate them. Archery Australia use a fixed formula, which is publihed, for their handicap system.

[Furface]

TJ Mason - 24/4/2005 1:03 AM

There are separate tables for women, men, juniors, recurves, compounds and barebow.

Your handicap is calculated as the average of the handicap values for your three best rounds. So when you shoot a better round than previously, your handicap drops.

Not quite! The handicap tables are the same for all archers (men, women, juniors) and, with the exception of certain target faces for compounds, all bow types (including longbow). What our archer fish is referring to is the Classification tables - related but different

I like handicaps, for two reasons. Firstly, they do give an objective comparison between scores for different rounds. It may feel as if scoring 500+ in a York is a feat that knocks the spots off "only" 200 in a New Warwick, but score wise it aint! In that way , the system also encourages new archers to try out the rounds. Secondly, handicap shoots are useful for letting improving archers shoot against the "big boys" and beat them. What they are competing on is not pure score, but improving on your normal standard, and that is to be encouraged. Sometimes the "Big Boys" don't like it and start saying handicaps are invalid, or inaccurate at the levels at which they score, but sometimes even they can improve. On the other hand, running a handicap shoot even at club level can appear to be a deep mystery. I have a guide written for my club if anyone would like it!

Despite what is often written, the handicap tables are generally statistically justified, and usually reflect reality. GNAS do intend to retain copyright in the new tables, which should mean they are more widely available.

[TJ Mason]

Furface - 25/4/2005 10:41 AM

Not quite! The handicap tables are the same for all archers (men, women, juniors) and, with the exception of certain target faces for compounds, all bow types (including longbow). What our archer fish is referring to is the Classification tables - related but different

Oops! Mea culpa (latin for "it's a fair cop, guvnor").

[secbridarchers]

I also think handicaps serve a useful purpose as you so rightly say Furface. As records officer at Bridlington Archers I find it has encouraged members to score rounds to achieve a lower handicap and also at the end of the season I can inform members of their overall improvement, giving awards to those who have made the greatest achievements, which is normally the newer members, which also gives great encouragement.

If you could email me your handicap details I would be most grateful. The only thing we haven't done at the club yet is to shoot a round using our handicaps so I would find this useful as we intend to do one in the very near future. Cheers

[Trequoit]

Hi furface

I'd love a copy of your guide to organising handicap club shoots.

I want to try and get our juniors shooting for scores (most of them just come along, shoot a few arrows, then wander off to play b****y football!! Grrrrrrr.

If we can get them a bit competitive, it will do wonders for their scores, let alone the adults' patience levels.

Cheers.