ORIGINAL: NEW61375

Archery is a sport and requires a lot of the same kind of practice, dedication, and committment. The only sport I've ever practiced more at than archery is golf, not football, not basketball(the other two I played a bit). Golf and archeryare much more technicalthan those sports IMO(not talking about play calling oranything like that just the individual physical and mental part). I wouldsay that I seea common ground between archery and golf. I didn't want to comment on the other thread (it was more fun just reading that one) but I knew what you meant. When I was developing into a better golfer I got withthe local proshop and an instructor to help me try to reachthe next level of playing (next level for me). I went tothose guys because they are the experts, there are a million guys on a golf course or driving range that can tell you eveything you are doing wrong and what you need to use as far as equipment but are they themostqualified? No. The guys that are pros and a lot ofthe ones that work in the shops are, and after going and having them analyze eveything and fit me to my new set of clubs(switched froma beginner/intermediate set to some T-Zoid irons)and practicing on thethings they noticed I could improve on I had immediate improvement and continue to improve. I had basically become better than my old set of clubs and the new ones were fitted to me. Theywere an extra inch long and just fit me better, the increased shaft stiffness helped me a lot because of my swing speed,not to mention the fact that having more ofa blade style ironincreased myability to maneuver the golf ball. Now a lot of that I might have eventually learned but they flattened out my learning curve so to speak. I still only play for fun and I am definitely no pro but canshoot in the low 80's consistently and have broke into the 70's on several outings and I don't think I would be doing that without their help. Sorry, I can never keep my replies short.

Also, when I was about 18 and played golf about 2 days a week I was a scratch golfer with an $80 set of clubs.

ORIGINAL: GMMAT

That's a whale of an accomplishment....and it has nothing to do with the set of clubs. I've actually never met a scratch golfer who could play that infrequently (and I have no idea of the course you were playing, either (although that 'should' have been weighted via the slope/course rating system in place by the USGA).

That's quite incredible. The scratch golfers I've known pretty much touch a club, EVERY day......and I've been associated with my share of them.

Kudos.

ORIGINAL: GMMAT

Buckeye asked why I always tend to relate archery to golf. It was a fair question....and I'm not making light of it.

I do that because it's the only thing "I know" I can relate archery to. I tried to get a buddy introduced to archery (even target shooting).....and I then started to realize how much they ARE similar.

In golf.....I practiced a lot.....moreso than I do in shooting my bow. in golf.....we try to achieve a repeated swing. We try to ingrain into our minds.....THE swing. We do this....so that we can make the SAME swing....NO MATTER what the situation before us entails (ex. driving off the tee when you're one shot up on the final hole vs. your first tee shot). The golf swing becomes almost WHOLELY, MENTAL. You've practiced it a million times. Now just go out there.....trust it....and EXECUTE.

Does any of this sound familiar?

I found this out.....just how familiar this is.....when I was shooting 5-spot....and during 3D shoots. To me....it's amazing the similarities these two endeavors share.

Does any of this hit home with you.....even in other sports?

These guys ARE good.

ORIGINAL: NY Bowhunter

I always compare golf and archery as far as what's involved to have a good golf swing in relation tobeing agood archer. The mindset while practicing and developing consistencyis very similar. A good comparison IMO.

And yes....... I can attest to that! These guys really are remarkable. I'm a washed up/wannabee(according to some of my friends around here[8D]) golf pro. Been bouncing around mini tours, monday qualifiers, open qualifiers, Q school etc..... Came close to making it to the big show, but could never quite get over the hump. Even if I (or someone else) did, staying there is equally as hard. I have several close friends that have had a one or two year stint on the PGA tour and are back at square one now. I marvel at the guys out there that retain their card every year. Their talent is simply at a different level than 99.8% of the people in the world.