Beginner's Handicap?

[Jolo]

Hi all - I just finished a beginners course and have been shooting for about a fortnight. I just did my first ever scored round last night - a National, although I had never shot at 60 yds before. It was kinda unplanned and a last minute idea to do a scored round with a more experienced guy there.

I'm just wondering, what kind of score or handicap would be considered good or bad for that situation. I'd rather not say what I got just yet so as not to sway anyone either way into being kind to me or otherwise hehe.

cheers, J

[pHz]

going to give the kind of answer that a few months ago (when i was in your position) used to irritate the hell out of me

although its true nonetheless

whatever you scored is good enough - youre only ever shooting against yourself - as long as you try to equal or beat it next time you shoot the same round youre making good progress

as a rough guide for you i reckon im a pretty average archer (been shooting for a year now) and my PB for a national (only ever shot the round once) is 452 - havent shot one since may though and i reckon if i were to shoot one now i should (based on my handicap) shoot around 510+

slainte rob

[cornish george]

I'm with pHz on this, whatever you got is a PB, keep getting them and it's all going right.
My first National,21 May 06, i scored 305, in June it was 369, inJuly 382 and 402 etc, just enjoy shooting and improve your own scores, other people's do'nt matter, yet.

[Trunkles]

Originally Posted by Jolo

Hi all - I just finished a beginners course and have been shooting for about a fortnight. I just did my first ever scored round last night - a National, although I had never shot at 60 yds before. It was kinda unplanned and a last minute idea to do a scored round with a more experienced guy there.

I'm just wondering, what kind of score or handicap would be considered good or bad for that situation. I'd rather not say what I got just yet so as not to sway anyone either way into being kind to me or otherwise hehe.

cheers, J

The three nationals I have shot over the past couple of years were 284 249 and 273 which average out to a 62 handicap. My current h/c is a bit better than that.

[Jolo]

Thanks all for the replies, you answered what I wanted to know. I kinda wanted some frame of reference to see if I was doing ok, or not, and yeh, I take your point and agree about competing against yourself. I'll be happy to get close to last nights score again (395), which is handicap 54 I gather? To me these are just numbers at the moment, so I didn't know if that was good or not - I was hoping it was good! [Especially as I never shot 60yds and just had 6 arrows to get my sight then bang... here we go... hehe ]

Now if I could just get my release and follow-through sorted out...

cheers, J

[mk1]

Results come from 1% inspiration 99% perspiration. So its practice that makes perfect - talent is nothing without application. So a humble start is no indication of future successes

Had a chap on a course years back who did really well and plonked arrows in the middle with ease at twenty yards after a few lessons. He gave up because he said there was obviously going to be no challenge in archery for him.

In Edinburgh you learn not to try debating such things when people have so obviously set their minds.

[Jolo]

Originally Posted by mk1

Results come from 1% inspiration 99% perspiration. So its practice that makes perfect - talent is nothing without application.

Had a chap on a course years back who did really well and plonked arrows in the middle with ease at twenty yards after a few lessons. He gave up because he said there was obviously going to be no challenge in archery for him.

Oh don't worry - my favourite quote, which I think I have seen here in forums before is the one about - the more I practice, the luckier I get... I know I am not talented or well-practiced enough yet! I can't plonk arrows in "the custard" yet with ease... so I will practice... and practice... Just wanted to know if I was on a decent start - thought I was, but you never know.

cheers, J

[JamesR]

Originally Posted by Jolo

Now if I could just get my release and follow-through sorted out...

I've been shooting for nearly a year now ... and I'm still thinking the exact same thing!

[Trunkles]

Originally Posted by ruthmc

In which case your handicap is 0 - until you have shot 3 scoring rounds (each round on a different day) your records officer won't do any calculations until then

Have a go at different rounds and different distances just to make it more fun

You'll have a handicap and hopefully a classification soon

Ruth

A zero handicap is a valid one for a very very good archer so your handicap is not zero - you do not have a handicap yet. Get those rounds shot and the scoresheets to your records officer and you soon will.

[!!!]

395 for your first national is a great score and a respectable PB, you have just set yourself a first goal to beat.

I shot my first round which was a national in Feb this year and got 391. I only joined the club in Jan after the beginner’s course.

Hope you enjoy your shooting as much as I have.