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Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 04, 2010, 03:31:00 PM

Title: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 04, 2010, 03:31:00 PM
Hi Gang,
I shoot spilt finger and after I have shot a few dozen arrows the pinky side of my ring finger is sore and I am sure it is dragging off the string on release.  I heard another guy shooting an 80# longbow at a trad event last year complain about the same thing but I wasn't shooting enough in a day to feel it I guess.  I do cant my bow but always have, I use a soft deer skin glove for my string hand.

Does anyone know a fix for this?
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Bill Turner on May 04, 2010, 04:06:00 PM
Sorry Michael I've never had that problem and I've shot split finger since 1970. The bottom of my index finger (first joit from the tip)will occasionally develop a tender spot with soreness from nock pressure at release, but for the most part my ring finger is out of the way, with little if any pressure on the string. Try concentrating on keeping your ring finger off the string when you draw. That should solve the problem.    :archer2:
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 04, 2010, 04:51:00 PM
Thanks Bill,
I am really not strong enough to pull my bow with only 2 fingers.  I don't think my problem is due to the spilt finger really, just wanted to explain my grip.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: meangene1969 on May 04, 2010, 10:35:00 PM
I fight this all the time, I have a callus on that side of my ring finger. I have really been working on putting more pressure on my middle finger and getting a cleaner release. You could be torquing the string. If you can video yourself and take a look.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: cbCrow on May 05, 2010, 07:44:00 AM
I had a simular problem when I started using a tab. Have someone watch the height of you elbow on your drawing arm, remember it should be in line with the shoulder not above which puts more pressure on that finger. Hope it helps.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 05, 2010, 09:27:00 AM
Gene, you might be onto something. I looked at a couple pictures my wife took and while I cant my bow my fingers string hand seems pretty straight on my face.  I have a class with Bob Wesley next week I will check with him on this too.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: eric-thor on May 05, 2010, 10:12:00 AM
i only get this when i get tired and havent been shooting much it goes away when i aply most of the draw weight to middle finger . 80 lb bows r a different story you hold on with all you got theres no choice.   ps make sure you have a deep hook with that middle finger.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 05, 2010, 12:23:00 PM
Thanks Eric, I will check that tonight.  The young man (late 20's) that was shooting the 80# wasn't the typical brute I would expect to pull such a heavy bow.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Pete Darby on May 05, 2010, 03:09:00 PM
I would be interested in any solutions.  I have exactly the same problem.  I shoot a glove,split finger with a deep hook.  I know something isn't quite right but I can't seem to figure out what it is.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: graysquirrel on May 05, 2010, 04:00:00 PM
using different elbow angles will create different pressures. These will cause the sore fingers.  also letting a callous build up (not sanding it off) can result in a torn callous and then you'll know what hurt is
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Terry Green on May 05, 2010, 04:17:00 PM
Torquing the string....or elbow above 10:00 O'clock is causing the problem.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 05, 2010, 04:38:00 PM
My elbow is usually just above 9:00 but not all the way to 10:00.  I will take another look at my pictures. What are the ways I could be torquing the string?
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Ssamac on May 10, 2010, 06:08:00 PM
How long is your bow and draw length? Could you be getting pinched?

Sam
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 10, 2010, 06:15:00 PM
My draw is 29 and a half my bow is 70" AMO.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 10, 2010, 06:16:00 PM
I am pretty sure that I am carrying my elbow too high, I might also be torquing the string.  I am going to know for sure in a couple days as I am going to Bob Wesley's "Whispering Pines" Shooting school.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Brock on May 10, 2010, 06:39:00 PM
i used to have that issue and it was torquing the string too much.  Now concentrating on even pressure and getting the familiar rough spots on all three fingers instead of just the ring finger.

a torn callous does get your attention I might add...  :)
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Terry Green on May 11, 2010, 08:41:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Northwest_Bowhunter:
My elbow is usually just above 9:00 but not all the way to 10:00.  I will take another look at my pictures. What are the ways I could be torquing the string?
You could be rotating your wrist on the draw....ring finger outward is the common occurrence.  The fingers and draw hand much stay 'in-line' with the string.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Bonebuster on May 13, 2010, 06:04:00 PM
I just learned something there!

Sometimes when I shoot, it appears that I put more pressure on my ring finger than others.
Never could figure out why, if I`m careful about my elbow. It HAS to be that my fingers are not staying in line with the string.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 15, 2010, 02:14:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Terry Green:
You could be rotating your wrist on the draw....ring finger outward is the common occurrence.  The fingers and draw hand much stay 'in-line' with the string.
This is what I was doing, thanks.  While it still happens when I get tired I think I have fixed it for most of my shooting.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: xtrema312 on May 15, 2010, 07:40:00 PM
I tend to turn my bottom finger out some on the draw and release.  I have to work at it.  I found a more vertical bow helps. More cant is going in the opposite direction of the way my hands wants to turn.  I also found going a little deeper with the index and less deep with the middle and ring fingers helps offset some of the sting hand turning.
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: gudspelr on May 17, 2010, 01:04:00 PM
I'm glad I came across this thread-pretty new to this and am having the same problem with my ring finger.  I've been trying to concentrate on keeping my elbow up, but might be too high.  Might also be trying to keep my draw hand perpendicular with the ground while canting the bow slightly.  Will have to try and fix this when shooting later...

Jeremy
Title: Re: Spilt finger, ring finger sore?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 17, 2010, 01:12:00 PM
I think you should take a lot at this thread as well:
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=003278