Longbow string issues

[CarefreeMike]

I got a new longbow this year. It is my first long term experience shooting traditional archery. I have been told that my longbow is too heavy(it's a 55#@28"). I am getting some experience again shooting instinctively with success but when I shoot the string on my bow consistently slaps my thumb of the hand holding the bow whenever I shoot an arrow of course. I bought a video that provides instruction on how to shoot a longbow so I think I am practicing good form. I have heard that my bowstring may be too long for my bow. What do y'all know?

-Inexperienced traditional archer

[Hermon]

When the bow is braced, what is the distance from the string to the riser?

[Pine]

Another possibility is that your nock fit of your arrows is to tight .
That can pull the string with the arrow and slap you .

[CarefreeMike]

6"

[LBR]

Low for most bows, but could be ok depending on the design.  Graps made a good point also.

[Petrichor]

try a higher brace see if it goes away.

[SC Bowhunter]

Maybe it's just me but how on earth is the string slapping the thumb of your bow hand.
It would have to be traveling past the back of the grip!
Something doesn't sound right.

[Eric Sprick]

Try to post as many specifics you can.

Longbow style/brand arrow spine, string material, your draw length, etc. etc....you get the idea.

Sounds odd, the more info the more help

Eric

[namvet6971]

I second what SC Bowhunter said. That's hard to believe, 6" brace height could cause that.

[Jim Picarelli]

I get ticked on the low wrist shooting Hill bows, some as low as 5.75" brace hgt., but never hit my thumb

[monterey]

I shot one of my ASLs with a brace height In the six inch range.  The string would hit my wrist right at the base of the thumb.  I can see how you could get hit In the base of the thumb especially if the nock fit is tight as noted above.

[Orion]

How are you measuring brace height?  Regardless, if the string is hitting your bow hand, it's too low, a lot too low.  Might also be a problem with the string.  It could be under built, old, twisted too much, etc., and stretching way too much at the shot. A new low-stretch string and a higher brace height will solve the problem.

[David Mitchell]

I set the brace height on my Hill and Hill style bows at 6 3/4 to 7" from the belly (web of thumb side) to the string.  That has always worked best for me. That and check to be sure arrow nocks are not too tight and holding the arrow on the string too long and pulling it forward farther than normal as mentioned above. I am assuming that you are shooting a Hill style bow, right?

[Bladepeek]

I agree with all of the above comments and also question whether it is really the string hitting your thumb, or is it the fletching. Awfully hard to picture the string hitting your thumb unless your bow hand is wrapped WAY too far around the bow.

I would also raise that brace height by twisting the string up a bit.

 I am getting some experience again shooting instinctively with success but when I shoot the string on my bow consistently slaps my thumb of the hand holding the bow.... [/QB]

I can't imagine how the string or fletching can hit anywhere close to your thumb.    

If you are shooting LH, or RH, the worst that could happen is the string would beat the snot outta your wrist.  It seems physically impossible for the string to hit your thumb....what am I missing here?

[slowbowjoe]

Mike, once again, what bow are you shooting, and how are you measuring the brace?