Deep Hook VS Finger Tips

[nevadabugle]

I have always shoot with just my finger tips holding the string and last night I tried the deep hook (string deep in first joint). The results were almost unbelievable as far as the groups I was shooting.

What are your guys feelings about the pro's and con's for deep hook vs. finger tips?

any feedback would be appreciated!

thanks,

Nevada

[Viper]

NB -

What class are you shooting in?

If we're shooting in the same class, I would stongly recommend a finger tip grip, if different classes, then go deep.

:lol:

Ok, the above pretty much sums it up. While counter intuititive, the amount of tension required to hold the string with the finger tips actually has a detrimental effect of the cleanness of the release. The deep hook, besides being more secure, allows the string hand to relax and remain straight during the draw and at anchor.

Viper out.

[James Wrenn]

I like a deep hook.I could never seem to get the hang of useing back tension untill I started hooking the string.

[Cato]

Let me add to the question please. It seems to me that a thicker material for protection, whether it is glove or tab, seems to help with the deep hook. It may be my imagination, but it seems like the string comes off more uniformly and cleanly.

I used to use a single thickness cordavan tab, because I could really "feel" the string. But as I look around, lots of good shooters use hard finger gloves, and big thick tabs. I changed to a double thickness cordavan, with my usual deep hook, and it also seemed to help.

[Larry Hatfield]

i shoot bare fingered and it's much easier to use a deep hook for me. if i roll a little meat in front of the string just behind the joint it really smooths the release. takes the tendancy to roll the string away.

[Shawnee Archer]

Deep hook. With the finger tip you feel you might be getting a smoother release but in reality you are getting a more consistent release with the deep hook.

[DAS]

Yea, it's wierd isn't it? A deeper hook works better for me because my fingers have to be super rigid to hold at the tips. You end up twanging the hell out of the string. I think the stiffer finger pads that Cato mentioned help keep the string from hanging on release. Since I went to a Big Shot glove (which has plenty of finger material) my release has improved.

[1bjd]

The deep hook may take a little longer to learn but my shooting got more constant once I did. John

[jhinaz]

I vote for the deep hook also. I find that I can shoot one size "lighter" spined arrow if I use a deep hook (i.e. lighter than what the Easton chart recommends). The back of my hand is much more relaxed with a deep hook, which results in a cleaner release. I hook the string in the "middle" between the first and second joint (from the tips). - John

[Biblethumpncop]

Well, I primarily shoot olympic style recurve now. My dad started shooting deep hook and tried to convince me of it. I reluctantly went to it, and now I am glad I did. I noticed my draw lenght increased slightly, and my anchor needed a little adjusting (chin anchor). The difference in the release is amazing.

I use to shoot 30" ACC 3-39 with 85 grn point out of my Spigarelli with Carbon Plus limbs (43#). This was bareshaft tuned. Now I have to crank that puppy to 52#! Same setup! The deep hook has effectively allowed me to go down in arrow spine. I was able to overcome it by shooting a full length shaft and 45#.

For some reason though, when I shoot instinctively, using the corner of my mouth, I still feel the need to shoot with the finger tips. Hmmmmm

[Desert Archer]

I don't know a single serious (about accuracy) finger shooter who doesn't use a deep hook. That doesn't mean there couldn't be a couple out there, I just haven't met any.

All the Olympic Recurve shooters I have met fall into this catagory, i.e. serious and use a deep hook. Must be a reason.

Dave

[Eaglearcher]

Just got to agree with you there guys.
When i shot compound i used to shoot off the tips of my fingers (see my avatar above) but since coming across to AFB i have found deeper hook to be so much more accurate.
Holding back the compound required much less effort and it was easy to hold 20# or so on my fingertips. Holding back the full weight of the AFB made my hand and arm very tense and it felt so uncomfortable. My loose sometimes felt totally uncontrolled and i could tell that i was plucking the string in an attempt to regain control. I now hold the string deep in the crease of the knuckle nearest the fingertip and it feels so much more secure.
I think that this is the secret of the deep draw when shooting recurve and longbow. If you feel comfortable and secure at full draw, you are going to feel more relaxed. And the more relaxed your body is, the better you are going to shoot.
With regard to the point that a deeper draw creates extra drag on release. I think that this is down to technique. If you have a good constant release its always going to be a good one. If your release is a bit messy a fingertip loose may hide some of it.

[Torsten]

Also I favor the deep hook.
When I used my previous 50# bow I recognized that the string tends to roll off when released from the finger tips. I think here is the problem of lacking accuracy.
Already Howard Hill mentioned that when you use a heavier bow, you do no longer need to worry about the release: the string just 'flies out'.

I am convinced the heavy draw contributes to accuracy. I have not seen it mentioned here.
When I increased the weight of bow by 15# the accuracy reached unexpected peaks after two hours practicing.

Also when practicing in the heavy frost we have this year, I just put another glove above the shooting glove, no difference!!!