Bow grip....

[cnorth]

I have always shot with a loose grip on my wheelies and I have carried it overto the trad world. Not trying to star any arguments here, but just wonder is there a disadvatage of shooting with a relaxed grip?

[Wapiti Bowman]

is there a disadvantage of shooting with a relaxed grip?

Actually, the more relaxed one can keep every aspect of the shot execution, with the exception of the 'hook' and the 'trapezius' muscle group in the back, the more accurate one can be.

I suppose you'd have to differentiate between "relaxed grip" and the use of a sling with no actual grip on the bow. While that would work in target archery, it could possibly lead to problems in the hunting situation. Only you can make that call.   :rolleyes:

"Relaxed is Good!  

[damascusdave]

I do not have a string yet for either of my 1960 Kodiaks but I already know how I am going to shoot them. The leather grips just call for about as much pressure as you would need for holding a bird in your hand. A lot like a good golf grip.
DDave

[damascusdave]

Finally shot the Bear twins today and they are exactly as I thought. In fact they call for a relaxed grip to the point of almost jumping out of your hand.

DDave

[SOLDIERII]

medium grip and my focus is more on the release

[TSP]

I also shoot my bows (all bow types) as if holding a tiny bird in my hand.  After a few seconds the imaginary bird (usually a Grackle or something similar...don't much like those Grackles) looses consciousness, feathers still solidly intact but with zero room to wiggle, move up/down/sideways, flap around or twist.  By the time the release is made the little avian creature is firmly sqeezened' into a nice reliable repeatable controllable possession in my hand.  The bow feels solid and in control, and shoots/feels great.  The imaginary bird isn't doing so well.

Kidding aside, there's a misnomer regarding what 'firm' means in regard to grip.  It does NOT mean a white knuckle choke-it-like-a-boa constrictor hold, but rather secure it like you want to solidly control it, rather than letting it control you.  Not talking about a light and balanced target bow in a target line situation here, but a hunting situation where bows of all types and designs and with all manner of add-on accessories are turned and tilted in all manner of shapes and angles.  In this kind of shooting, regardless of the bow (but especially with low-mass bows) grips that allow a consistent and maintained line throughout the shot, establishing a solid UNMOVING line between the arrow point and drawing elbow until the arrow is away, will work.  Guaranteed.  The grip shape (longbow vs. recurve) has less to do with it than getting and MAINTAINING proper alignment.  In hunting situations hunting bows that control you and move where they want to will shoot where they want to.  Which might not be where YOU want to.

Think of it in terms of a shotgun, another recoil-oriented (vibration-oriented) hunting weapon often shot in less-than-perfect situations.  Which works better, pulling the rearstock of that 12 guage snug to your shoulder before squeezing off with a slight hold on the forestock, or letting the entire weapon just sit like a bird in your hand, loose to do it's own thing, until the big kaboom happens?

Firm vs. loose, controlled vs. unfettered.  It's all opinion for sure, and so it should be.  As you can tell, I'm a believer in what H. Hill used to say and practice when shooting a bow.  'Get ahold of it'.

[hvyhitter]

I hold my bows pretty tight. I dont like a bow that "slimes around" in my hand, but thats just what works for me. If I loosen my grip my groups open up. Everyone is different and if you are unhappy with your shooting try somethings a little different. BUT!!! Give it a real try, shoot a certian way for a full day or two and see if your groups tighten or not. Many times you wont see much of a change if you shoot only 3 arrows and say "that doesnt work".......YMMV

[Stumpkiller]

I'm old school recurve: held just tight enough it doesn't drop or rotate after release but lightly enough I don't torque it on release.

[huntmaster70]

try different grip pressures & see what works the best for you.your medium grip might be anothers tight grip

[Mark of WV]

I am returning to my childhood roots. I was taught to shoot with a Bear fox 15# and now have my late father's Bear Cub (39# 62" AMO) and a Browning Wasp recurve (45# 56").

I find with the very light trad bows that I do not "grip" it at all. I was noticing while shooting the Browning that my fingers were not touching the front of the grip but merely waiting to "catch" the bow after release.

Regards,
Mark

[longbowguy]

I agree with the above re light grip as if holding a live bird.

I will add a tip: grip that bird only with the lower fingers. Keep the index finger relaxed and the thumb pointing forward. - lbg

[Robert Honaker]

Imho if you're finding a different grip form shot to shot you need a heavier bow. That's just me...If I shoot lighter (pundage) bows I struggle with  my grip. Heavier bows and my hand always settles in the same.