How to Figure a Handicap for Archery

An archery handicap system provides archers with a way of comparing scores with other archers even if they are using different types of bows and shooting at a different skill level. The handicap number is added to the shooter's raw score, whatever the type of archery competition. The adjusted score allows less skilled archers to compete with more experienced ones. Calculations are the same for all types of bows used but the archer must calculate a separate handicap for each bow type.

Things You'll Need

  • Score sheet
  • Target range
  • Archery club membership
  • Bow
  • Arrows
  • Safety equipment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Join a local or regional archery club that supports handicapping. The club may or may not be affiliated with national groups like the National Archery Association, National Field Archery Association or to international groups like the International Archery Federation (FITA) which supervises Olympic archery competitions. If your club is an affiliate of a national/international association, your score will be recognized nationally.

    • 2

      Shoot three standard rounds at an official range. A member of your club must serve as witness to your score. Present signed score sheets to your club's recording officer.

    • 3

      Look up the handicaps for the scores for each round. They are listed in official tables that your club uses or through handicap generator software. Your club's recording officer can do this for you. Handicapping tables are provided by standard-setting organizations like the National Archery Association and the International Archery Federation.

    • 4

      Average the three handicaps of your three rounds and round up to the nearest whole number. This gives you your first handicap. This number will be added to your shooting score, giving you an adjusted score in any round of archery.

    • 5

      Continue playing. As you turn in new rounds, a recording officer will compare your old handicap with the new score's handicap. If the new handicap score is better than the old, the officer will add the two handicaps and average them.