At what stage did you buy your first Equipment?

[Alexam]

My first Archery expence was for a couple of Archery Books whilst waiting for the beginners course to start. I searched the internet to find clubs in the West Midlands & Warwickshire area and the only club running a beginners course within the following few weeks within reasonable distance (25 mins by car) was in Droitwich - so I signed up for that.

By the time the course started I had almost finshed the two books and was starting to evaluate equipment, but in talking to coaches onthe telephone and on coarse was persuaded not to buy before going through the course first.

Before sarting the course I had also decided to join a club with 24/7 - 365 day facilities with indoor shooting in clubhouse, permanent outdoor field targets 30m to 100m and the day I finished the course I joined the club I planned.

The following week the club coach, realising I wanted to get equiped, volunteered to go with me for the day to make sure I didn't go wrong.

Ben Jones of MERLIN in Loughborough, Leicester spent 4 hours helping me sort out the Recurve kit I wanted and couldn't be more helpful, I had suitable arrows fletched to try out before leaving with all the 'goodies' and I would recommend anyone to go there and ask for him.

Now fully equiped, shooting about 200 per week and starting - very slowly to improve with the help of a good coach that I see on Saturdays and he's available at other times when needed.

Perhaps I was rather hasty, I think not as I wasnted a good competitive hobby to get into before retirement, but in many cases the best advice is wait a while. The Club you join will usually have some beginners equipment to lend you before you buy your own, particularly if you have gone through the beginners course there.

Hope this helps.

Malcolm


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[tel]

I initially went 'ebay' loopy as soon as the idea was mentioned and bought loads of (two of us) completely inadequate kit. However much research you do you will never come even close to guessing what you need until you 'settle in'. If you have money to burn then go for whatever, but I'm willing to bet it'll change quicker than you think!

[bkupris]

Originally Posted by JaniceH

Question in the title really.

Did you buy anything before your beginners course, arm guard, quiver etc? What stage did you decide to buy your first bow/equipment?


Thankyou

I have been shooting bows for over 35 years and I have never done a beginners course. Bought my first bow/arrows/accessories when I was about 14 years old. My father and older brothers were my mentors.

[grimsby archer]

Like Brian, I have been shooting on and off (more off than on) for 30 years.
I honestly can't remember buying my first kit.
My wife found a bag in our loft whilst spring cleaning 10 years ago. It was my old Perris Whiteheart (c.1980).
"Sell it, bin it or use it,, but dont put it back in the loft" she said.
It was no competition, but I doubt she realised then what a box pandora had opened.

From a club point of view, years ago (before I came along) club policy was "finish your beginners course and buy equipment if you want to continue"
When we revitalised the club, some were keen to change the philosophy, so we got a grant and bought loads of beginners kit so no one would ever be forced to buy equipment. Now we have so many beginners using club kit that its hard to take on any new beginners. We have just introduced a fee for using club equipment to "encourage" long term users to make an investment in their own kit but they dont seem to be taking the hint, especially juniors parents who "might think about it next christmas!". Yeah!

[Hidden Hippo]

About one month after I finished my beginners course. I shot with the club equipment for a couple of weeks and then decided I wanted to get my own stuff (or, more to the point, dad recommended we got me some kit as the arrows were poorly spined for me etc.).

[King Custard]

Three weeks into the beginers course, I had the hump to shoddy club gear. I ebayed a full kit after reading a dozen books in that time to ensure I knew what to look for, finished the course with my own wooden riser, then snapped up a 'real' bow from another club member....hated it after another 12 weeks and spent a long time figuring what would really suit me.
Do I regret spending cash too early? - NO, it's all part of the learning curve to me.

[clickerati]

I did my beginner's course, and six weeks later, relocated back to the states. Three months later, I bought a cheapo PSE Buckeye that was way to short, but allowed me to shoot in my garage during the winter. Ended up spending most of my time shooting rifles as there was no club system.

Came back to the UK and within two days of my return, some lovely friends gifted me with a beautiful Hoyt Matrix (silver flame with purple background ) setup. The would've been about 10 months after my beginner's course.

[Tony_zelah]

Really really glad I didn't buy my first bow for nearly a year. I was taught by a "leader" and I guess they looked at the disability, cos the first eye dominance test I had was at a local shop. Right handed left eyed. Ten days after I got a left hand bow I was shooting far better than I used to right handed.

[N.Vodden]

started early here as well. Bought a wooden trainer recurve with the intention of shooting out the garden. Found local club and started using it there. Bought my first 'proper' bow, a winstar II and evolutions about 3-4 months after finishing the beginners course and using my wooden bow twice a week at the club.

gradually upgraded stuff then over the next year and a half to end up with the kit i shoot these days, which im happy with and have no pressing need to change any of it. sorted

[tel]

Check THIS out!!!!

Thats one big investment for two hours just to find out Archery isn't for you!