gripping a bow

[sawtoothscream]

are you suppose to actaully grip the bow are shoot loose?

being a compound shooter for the most part i learned to shoot with a open hand.

now with my recurve i have been doing it the same it it works but i got the new one and its hits to the left of where i aim. yesterday night i was shooting and decided ill change my grip a little and actually grip the bow i little and it seems to help alot and the next few groups were tight right were i wanted it.  think ill experiment more with it today at longer ranges and see if the grip helps out more.

so do you shoot with a loose hand or grip the bow?

[Swiftspeed10]

try closing your grip on it, don't squeeze hard just get comfortable and cradle the bow in your hand so that it is snug.

[sawtoothscream]

Originally posted by Swiftspeed10:
try closing your grip on it, don't squeeze hard just get comfortable and cradle the bow in your hand so that it is snug.

ya im not wrapping my hand around it since it feels akward to me.  going out right now to fling some arrows.

[KSdan]

I hold the bow with my forefinger (very little pressure), middle finger (most pressure), and thumb (same as middle), while folding the other two under.  It makes the bow feel secure but I can not really grip or torque it.

Dan in KS

[stevewills]

go up to a blank bale and shoot with several style of grips and find the one that suits you..

[Cyclic-Rivers]

It seems as if you are starting to get aquainted with your bow.

You should do what ever works best for the two of you.

That being said most people avoid squeezing the handle to the point it hurts.

[snag]

It's important to line the bows grip up in the crease of your hand between the meaty part of the base of the thumb and your palm. This will line the bones in your hand down into your arm for a solid connection. Same as shooting a compound. The only thing you want to remember is don't grip it tight. Like Swiftspeed10 said "don't squeeze hard".
Yes, it feels different for now. But after you shoot that recurve for awhile and see positive results it will starting feeling right! Have fun.

[durp]

the only thing i would add is do what you DONT have to think about...let it come to you so it's natural

[joekeith]

If you're just hitting to the left, try a little heavier point.

[shoes]

Try shooting with a black jersey style cotton glove on your bow hand. It will allow the bow to slip into a consistent spot and you can see if this grip type works with your style.

[sawtoothscream]

Originally posted by joekeith:
If you're just hitting to the left, try a little heavier point.

tslked to the builder and he said i might be a little ever spined, which makes since  because i biult the arrow for a 45# at my dl and it came in at around 42# at my length.

i have a 125gr head now and 100gr brace inserts. so idk guess ill order a weight kit from 3 rivers and mess around a bit. thanks

[hvyhitter]

Try gripping the bow with different presures. For me a pretty firm grip works best on all bows and I've never had any problem with "torquing the bow".  You wont know for sure what works for you untill you try.

[59Alaskan]

Listen to the builder  You need to adjust the arrows and bow to how you shoot.  Assuming you are consistently off left and shooting groups it could be:

Over spined

Try a softer strike plate.  The softer material will absorb the arrow more and keep it from pushing hard left

If it is a form issue it could be a back tension issue.

To your original question, grip the bow very lightly.

[lpcjon2]

I shoot longbows and have the (it's a locater grip) ride down the inside of the fat part of the palm(thumb meat) and use the index and middle finger to hold the grip and the thumb applying a little pressure and free float the ring and pinky.It helps with the follow through of the shot.