I think it really depends on why you are on the 3D course. If you are wanting to try to compete at a national level, yes it take more time and $$$ than you could believe. If you want to go to the shoots to have a good time and to make sure that your shot is on target come Nov (when it really matters) then it takes no more time than your normal practice. I am a member of a bowhunting club that put on 3 3D shoots a year, I also attend between 20-25 shoots a year, both at the local level as well as the national level. I will tell you that the local shoots are much more fun and laid back than the national shoots. About 90% of the shooters you will encounter as a local shoot are there shooting their hunting equipment and are shooting for nothing more than just knowing they make the shot when the big boy steps out in front of them. The national shoot are a totally different animal. Those guys are shooting for a check. Not nearly as laid back and not nearly as much fun. Those are the guys that have dreams in their eyes of shooting for a living, which 95% of them never will. The local shoots are where it is at. A great way to practice, the scores are a great way to see if you are improving at making hunting type shots, and also a great way to make some great friends.