A Newbie Query

[Kenmist]

Been shooting since 1955 off and on, mostly off to get married, get a job and raise a family.  Have had many interests over the years, but in 2003 while watching the Senior Games at the N.C. State I noticed a whole field full od archery targets.  Upon checking it out I learned that an archery competition was held every year and that all I had to do was enter at the local level.  I dug out my old "Bud" Pierson bow and found a local club where I could practice.  In 2007 after qualifying for the National Senior Games in archery, I won the gold medal for barebow recurve in the 70 to 74 age group in Louisville, KY.  Love to shoot and recently had my wife try the sport.  She loves it, too!  Now we both compete in Senior Games.  I never had much training, but have been reading about the term "brace height".  Is this the measurement between the string and arrow rest when the bow is strung?  I normally just use the "hand/thumb" routine.  Is this brace height?
Kenmist

[frassettor]

Kenmist, The brace height is  measured when the bow is strung, and is measured from the string to the throat of the grip. Glad to hear you and you wife are having alot of fun with it.    

[ChuckC]

Ken.  as above, we now measure it as described and call it brace height.  At one time the similar measurement was known as fistmele and was measured exactly as you describe.  Course, if you measure it and I measure it, it will be different measures depending upon out hand size.

In reality where you measure from and to doesn't really matter as long as you always use those reference points for that bow and understand its significance.

Find what works well for that bow and stick with it.  I often mark my arrows with a line, or the feather placement or some way such that when I have an arrow nocked, I can see right away if it is close to correct.

Shoot straight.
ChuckC