Part 1: Getting your first bow? – How do I make this decision among all the choices

What was it that got you into archery in the first place? Were you inspired by Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games, watching the Olympics, the competition and social environment of the club or was it something you have always wanted to do and finally came round to doing!  Whatever the reason, there comes a stage where you want to buy your first bow! The excitement and extensive choice, will make one feel like a child in a sweet store. For some it might even be overwhelming, whilst others might become a little on the hyperactive side…

To help you feel that you have a better understanding of what would work for you and complement your style, you should consider the 4 P’s:

Purpose, Progression, Price and Preference.

PURPOSE – What is my purpose and goal of shooting?

There is a big difference between what an Olympic archer would invest in and hobbyist shooting every once in a while in their backyard. There are many reasons why people learn to shoot whether it is for recreation, hunting, to competing at differing levels, from inhouse club competitions to national standards. This will have a significant influence in the style of kit you will buy and many of the features that your require in your bow.

PROGRESSION – How long do you think you will keep the bow for?
A big misconception with new archers is that they need to start with a cheap entry level bow. The reality is that you can skip this, especially if you have been learning using club or rented equipment. Bows are meant to last forever like your sturdy steed, but for different reasons archers will buy other bows. They might want to improve their performance with a more specialized bow or attain a bow that is more personalised (Neon green maybe). Therefore you might want to consider if this bow will give you the ability to progress and how long you can see yourself shooting this style of bow.

PRICE – What is my budget?

Naturally this will make a significant difference on what choices you have when purchasing your first bow. I wouldn’t advise rushing and buying the cheapest bow you can find online, as you might end up feeling ripped-off and even end up tarnishing your experience of archery.We definitely wouldn’t want that happening to you. Yet, you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to get a good quality and appropriate bow to fit you!

Depending on how quickly you wish to progress to a new bow (maybe even another style) you might be willing to spend less money than if you wish to invest in a single bow that you will be using for many years down the line (you might even pass it onto your kids!). Remember to include in your budget the required accessories such as arrows, quiver, fingers tabs and bracers which you will need.

Understandably, some people are often afraid to spend a lot of money on a bow, when they are not confident that they will stay with the sport or be cash strapped. A way to cut costs is by going second hand or ebay (see our earlier blog on: www.2020archery.co.uk/blog/should-i-buy-second-hand-archery-gear/ ), but be careful, do your research and ask club members or instructors for advice if you are unsure. Yet the more confident you are with your commitment, the more you will save in the long term with better equipment, as you will begin to develop and grow into a better bow sooner.

PREFERENCE – Is there a particular style you wish to shoot?

Archery has a spectrum of styles and there’s nothing wrong opting for a traditional bow than for a snazzy Olympic recurve. It is important you buy the style of bow you want to use, because at the end of the day you will be shooting it. The bow must feel right from both an aesthetic perspective ( yes that is important many people might not want to shoot a neon green bow) to the functionality for your chosen style of shooting.

Before you click the “buy it now“  button it is important that you consider the above categories and have done your research. The internet is an amazing source of information and so are our club members, instructors and local archery stores (We recommend **** in London). Please remember to check your clubs rules and regulations,before purchasing your bow, as there will be specific guideline on draw weight, types of arrows etc…. that are allowed to be shot.  If you have done your research and are confident about which bow you want, then what are you waiting for!