First off,,,please step away from the pitch fork
I've read so many threads on so many different forums about where the compound bow sits in this thing called archery, and if it's on a "trad" site it usually turns into a bash fest where some people often end up showing their true colours.
So it's had me thinking for a long time, which of course usually leads to long rambling posts about the true meaning of life and other stuff I really know bugger all about, but this time I think I'm on a winner so please listen up.
People are rather fond of saying the compound is "to easy" but I've never heard a top level shooter from any archery discipline say this.
So we need to ask ourselves honestly, are we a top level shooter or are we an average shooter ?
100% of us knew the answer to that question before it was even asked.
Ok, I agree the compound bow does make it easier to become average, I was a pretty good average with my compounds an getting there was easy enough, but getting good took some real work and I never got good.
To me,the compound bow is a search for mechanical excellence.
Once that excellence has been arrived at, there are no more excuses left.
When the bow is excellent the results will always be about the Archer, not about the bow.
Those people that talk about preserving one part of the sport while putting down another side of the sport, to me they are totally missing the point because I feel the only way to advance archery is to support archery.
There will always be those lovers of the old ways who will not let them die out and these people are as precious to the sport as a whole as any others involved are, regardless of the equipment being used.
The man making the self bow with his own hands and skill is keeping the flame alive at it's very source.
The man shooting perfect scores with the perfect bow is fanning those flames with the possibilities of excellence.
John.
I've read so many threads on so many different forums about where the compound bow sits in this thing called archery, and if it's on a "trad" site it usually turns into a bash fest where some people often end up showing their true colours.
So it's had me thinking for a long time, which of course usually leads to long rambling posts about the true meaning of life and other stuff I really know bugger all about, but this time I think I'm on a winner so please listen up.
People are rather fond of saying the compound is "to easy" but I've never heard a top level shooter from any archery discipline say this.
So we need to ask ourselves honestly, are we a top level shooter or are we an average shooter ?
100% of us knew the answer to that question before it was even asked.
Ok, I agree the compound bow does make it easier to become average, I was a pretty good average with my compounds an getting there was easy enough, but getting good took some real work and I never got good.
To me,the compound bow is a search for mechanical excellence.
Once that excellence has been arrived at, there are no more excuses left.
When the bow is excellent the results will always be about the Archer, not about the bow.
Those people that talk about preserving one part of the sport while putting down another side of the sport, to me they are totally missing the point because I feel the only way to advance archery is to support archery.
There will always be those lovers of the old ways who will not let them die out and these people are as precious to the sport as a whole as any others involved are, regardless of the equipment being used.
The man making the self bow with his own hands and skill is keeping the flame alive at it's very source.
The man shooting perfect scores with the perfect bow is fanning those flames with the possibilities of excellence.
John.