GTSL Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many Targets do you shoot in each GTSL League Match?

You shoot two 25 bird rounds (50 targets total)

2. How much does it cost to shoot?

For the 2023-2024 season, it will cost $15 for 50 targets. Of this $15, $12 will be returned to the host club and $3 will go to the GTSL league for prizes and other expenses.

3. What are the shooting times?

All clubs except Tarentum start shooting at 9:00AM. Tarentum begins at 10:00AM. Last sign-ups for all clubs are 3:00PM.

4. Do I have to be a member of a club to shoot the league?

Though it is encouraged to be a member of a club(s), the GTSL does not require to be a member of any participating club.

5. Can I shoot for more than one club?

Once you have started shooting for a club, you must remain a part of that team until the end of season. Once the season is completed, you are permitted to change to a different participating club.

6. What does “Scratch” mean?

Scratch is your total score out of 50.

7. What does “Handicap” mean?

Every shooter is handicapped based on their total average through the shooting season. Shooters handicaps range anywhere between 0 and 25.

Higher scratch shooters average lower handicaps.
Lower scratch shooters average higher handicaps

8. How is handicap determined?

For a shooter new to GTSL, your handicap is determined by the very first round you shoot. To determine your starting handicap, your first round is doubled and then subtracted from 48.

Example: If you shoot a 19 your first ever GTSL round, your handicap will be 10. (19*2 = 38; 48-38 = 10)

For an existing GTSL shooter, your handicap (known as your established handicap) is determined by subtracting your previous year end average from 48. This will be your handicap at the beginning of the following season.

Example: If you end the season with a 41.75 average, your starting handicap for the following season will be 6. (48 - 41.75 = 6.25 which rounds to a 6)

9. Why is my handicap changing every week?

Your handicap may or may not change each week depending on how you shoot. If this is your first year in the GTSL, you will not have an established handicap until the completion of the season and therefore, there is no restriction on what your handicap could be each week.

If you are an existing GTSL shooter with an established handicap, your handicap cannot exceed the handicap you started the season with.

Example 1: If you start the season with a handicap of 6 and you shoot a 47, your new handicap will be a 1 for the next match.
Example 2: If you start the season with a handicap of 6 and you shoot a 42, your handicap will remain a 6 for the next match.
Example 3: If you start the season with a handicap of 6 and you shoot a 40, your handicap will calculate to an 8, but your actual handicap will remain a 6 since you cannot exceed your original handicap.

10. How is a winner determined at each matchup?

Each club faces each other club two times in a season. There will be a one shoot at each club. At each match, there will be a Scratch Club Winner and a Handicap Club Winner. The Scratch Club Winner will be determined by taking the top 5 scratch scores for each club and adding them together. The highest score out of 250 will be the winner.

Example: If Club A's top 5 scores are 50, 49, 49, 48, 47 for a total of 243 and Club B's top 5 scores are 50, 50, 47, 47, 44 for a total of 238, Club A will be the winner.

The Handicap Club Winner will be determined the exact same way, but will be calculated using the top 5 handicap scores for each club.

11. What if there is a tie after the 5th score?

If there is a tie, the 6th best shooter score for each club will be added to the first 5 and compared to the other club's top 6 scores. If there is still a tie, you keep adding one additional score to the total until a winner has been determined.

12. Do I need to be a good shooter to participate in GTSL?

Absolutely not! The idea of the league is to shoot at different clubs and meet new people. This is a fun league. Competitiveness and winning is only a small part of the league. Very often, some of the lower league scores have a huge impact on the handicap winner each week!

13. How many shoots do I need to attend in a regular season to shoot the specialty shoot?

You must shoot a minimum of 3 shoots to participate in the specialty shoot at the end of the year.

14. What is the specialty shoot?

The 2023-2024 GTSL season will be the first year we are only holding one specialty shoot. At this time, the GTSL Board of Directors are still working on structure for the event. Once the structure is complete, we will share the details with the GTSL shooters.

15. Are there any prizes awarded for GTSL?

There are season and specialty shoot awards that are presented after the end of the season.

16. Do I have to attend a certain amount of shoots to be eligible for prizes?

You must attend at least 70% of the regular season shoots to be eligible for awards. For the 2023-2024 Season, the league has 5 clubs and 8 regular season shoots for each club. Therefore, you must attend 6 out of 8 shoots to be eligible for awards.

17. Do I get anything if I attend every shoot?

Yes. If you attend every regular season shoot, you will receive an embroidered perfect attendance hat.

18. Is food provided during GTSL shoots?

It is optional for a club to provide food at the shoots that they host. However, most clubs will provide food at no additional cost. Check with each club representative for a confirmed answer.

19. Am I required to help at home GTSL events?

Though not required, any help is absolutely appreciated at home and away events. These shoots are run by club volunteers giving up their Sundays to help make these events successful. We often see the same individuals assisting each shoot. We are always looking for individuals to help pull, fill machines, keep score, or even provide a small food dish for the clubs that provide food.