Spilt finger, ring finger sore?

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

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?

[Bill Turner]

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.    

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

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.

[meangene1969]

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.

[cbCrow]

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.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

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.

[eric-thor]

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.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

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.

[Pete Darby]

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.

[graysquirrel]

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

[Terry Green]

Torquing the string....or elbow above 10:00 O'clock is causing the problem.

[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?

[Ssamac]

How long is your bow and draw length? Could you be getting pinched?

Sam

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

My draw is 29 and a half my bow is 70" AMO.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

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.

[Brock]

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...  

[Terry Green]

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.

[Bonebuster]

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.

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

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.

[xtrema312]

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.