Small Adjustments, Fewer Surprises: The Monthly Bow Audit for Indoor Archers

Indoor scores are rarely lost to a single dramatic failure. More often, they erode through small, unremarked changes: a brace height that has crept up, a serving that has begun to separate, a nocking point that no longer sits quite where the archer believes it does. By the time the group opens on the target face, the bow has already made its point. A monthly bow audit is not a substitute for professional servicing, but it is a sensible way to catch drift early. Think of it as an MOT for the indoor season: brief, repeatable and focused on the items that matter most.

Why monthly, and why indoors

UK winters ask a great deal of equipment. Club halls vary in temperature, bows travel between cold cars and warm shooting lines, and strings settle at different rates from one week to the next. None of this is dramatic, but it is cumulative. A monthly check creates a baseline against which change becomes visible. It also fits the rhythm of indoor competition: early-season setup, mid-winter maintenance and a final review before the county or regional fixtures that matter most.

The aim is prevention, not panic. Most of what follows can be done at the club, at home or on a kitchen table with a few basic tools. The archer is not rebuilding the bow; they are confirming that it remains where it was left.

Set up a repeatable station

Consistency matters more than equipment. Use the same bow stand, the same tape measure and the same notebook or phone note each month. A small tray for Allen keys, spare nocks, serving thread and a bow square keeps the process tidy. If the bow has a manufacturer's manual, keep the relevant page nearby; the manual remains the authority on torque settings and adjustment limits.

Before touching anything, record the current state. Brace height, tiller, nocking point height and any visible serving wear should be noted exactly as found. A photograph of the limb bolts and tiller measurements is useful, particularly if the bow is shared or if several people adjust it.

The five-point check

Brace height

Measure brace height from the string to the deepest part of the grip, using the same method each time. Compare it with the manufacturer's recommended range and with the archer's own recorded baseline. A small change may simply reflect string settling; a larger or sudden change warrants investigation. Do not adjust immediately unless the reading is clearly outside the safe range.

Tiller

Check tiller above and below the grip, following the manufacturer's method. Uneven tiller can alter the feel of the shot and may indicate that a limb bolt has moved. Record both measurements. If the bow uses tiller bolts, make only small, deliberate changes and re-measure after each one.

Serving wear

The centre serving and the end loops deserve close attention. Look for fraying, separation, slippage or sharp edges that could damage a nock. Run a finger along the serving; if it feels rough or has begun to lift, the string needs attention. A worn centre serving is a common source of inconsistent nocking, and it is far easier to replace at home than to diagnose during a competition.

Nocking point

Check the nocking point height against the recorded baseline and confirm that it has not slipped. Use a bow square and ensure the nock fits the serving without being either loose or tight. A nock that grips too firmly can affect the shot; one that is too loose can fall from the string. Replace worn nocks as a matter of routine rather than waiting for a failure.

Limb bolts

Limb bolts should be checked for movement, not tightened by feel. Confirm that they remain at the recorded setting and that any locking screws are secure. If the bow has been dismantled or adjusted, follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely. This is not an area for guesswork.

Record the baseline

A simple table works well: date, brace height, upper and lower tiller, nocking point height, serving condition and any notes. The value lies in comparison. An archer who knows that their brace height has moved by two millimetres over three weeks can make an informed decision; one who has no record can only react after the symptoms appear.

When to hand the bow to a pro shop

Some tasks belong with a qualified technician. If the string shows damaged strands, if the serving has failed at the end loops, if limb bolts will not hold their setting, if the bow has been dropped or if the archer is unsure about any adjustment, stop. A pro shop has the tools, the experience and the liability cover to deal with it properly. The monthly audit is there to identify the question, not to answer every question.

A twenty-minute checklist

• Record brace height and compare with baseline.
• Measure upper and lower tiller.
• Inspect centre serving and end loops.
• Check nocking point height and nock fit.
• Confirm limb bolt settings and locking screws.
• Note any changes in the notebook.
• Book professional servicing if anything is unclear.

Run the audit on the same weekend each month, or at the start of each indoor competition block. The archer who spends twenty minutes now is likely to spend far less time explaining a lost end later.