Compton Archery FAQs

Q: Where can I find beginner information? (including beginner course information)

A: We have a beginners page on the website here: https://comptonarchery.co.uk/beginners-information/

Q: How much is a beginners course and how long does it take?

A: As of December 2024 a beginner course for adults is £80 and Juniors £50. This includes a 4 session course and rental of all the kit you’ll need. Course sessions are normally run on Saturday mornings 10-2. We run 2 or 3 beginners courses a year, normally April, July and January. Contact compton.archery@gmail.com for more information.

Q: After a beginners course, what happens next?

A: After your beginners course we’d hope that you’ll stay with us to continue your archery career. You will need to join the sports governing body, Archery GB, which we will manage for you. We will help you buy your own kit and we’ll continue to offer free coaching and work with on any aspect of archery that you’d like. You can of course just choose to come along and shoot your bow for the sheer pleasure of it.

Q: How often will I be able to shoot at Compton?

A: We run sessions every Friday evening and alternate Saturday mornings. There will also be additional Saturdays for club special events.

Q: I’ve bought/been given my own kit and I’ve been using it privately but had no formal lessons. Can I come along and use it?

A: No. We would not normally allow anyone to shoot without having completed a beginners course at a reputable archery club. We also require all archers to be members of Archery GB (AGB) for insurance reasons. In terms of using your own kit; we would inspect it first and then advise accordingly.

Q: Is archery dangerous?

A: Of course archery has the potential to be dangerous but there are simple and fundamental rules which actually make it one of the safest sports to take part in.

Q: Am I too old for archery?

A: No! There is no maximum age for archery – it’s one of the most inclusive sports available.

Q: What age can my children start archery?

A: As long as the child can listen to, and follow instructions and be trusted with the equipment then in theory there is no minimum age, although they obviously need to be able to pull the bow. We generally suggest 8 years as a minimum. You are also expected to stay and supervise young children.

Q: Is archery good for a family to do together?

A: Absolutely! We have plenty of families who all shoot together.

Q: I wear glasses; can I still do archery?

A: Absolutely. Any eyesight disability shouldn’t hold you back from archery.

Q: What is eye dominance? Why is it important to archery?

A: Most people are either right eye or left eye dominant. It occurs when the brain prefers the sight of one eye over the other and is not related to being right or left handed.  From eye dominance, we can determine if you would be better shooting with either a left-handed bow or a right-handed bow. Lots of archers are cross-dominant, i.e. right handed, but left eye dominant. Don’t worry! A useful video on determining your eye dominance can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIm-oOZ_TcE

Q: Do I need my own kit?

A: We provide beginners everything they need to get started. You can even rent kit from us so that you keep the same every session. We would expect you to buy kit after around 3 months as we ultimately need it for our next set of beginners

Q: If I want to buy kit, how much will it cost?

A: An entry level wooden club bow is around £60, with a metal one from around £100, a set of aluminium arrows is then another £50, so with a bag, arm guard, finger tab and quiver, plus a few other bits and pieces is going to start at around £200 for adults, a little cheaper for juniors, with intermediate kits around £500+ but there are reasonable limits on certain items which are not worth investing in at the start. It should be noted that you don’t have to buy everything at once. For example, you might buy a bow but continue to use club arrows for a while. We will help!

Q: Do I need to be particularly fit?

A: As with any sport, a certain level of fitness will help, but it’s absolutely not essential. Literally every shape and size can do archery.

Q: Can I get fit doing archery?

A: You will be building core strength and control whilst you practice archery, and you’ll be doing quite a lot of walking during an archery session as you walk up and down the field collecting arrows. So yes, you WILL get fitter!

Q: Can I use a cross-bow?

A: No, we don’t allow cross bows at Compton Archery. Sorry.

Q: Can I hunt with a bow and arrow?

A: No! Bow hunting (including bow fishing) is illegal in the UK

Q: Will I be able to practice archery at home in my garden?

A: Safety is the main concern on this point. You probably can’t shoot in your garden unless you have a particularly large garden with a suitable back stop and overshoot area. i.e. there is absolutely no chance of a mis-fire hitting anyone!. However! There are techniques for building up archery fitness at home like using stretchy exercise bands.

Q: If I learn with you will I be able to shoot at other clubs?

A: Probably. Although you would need to check with the club first. We will provide you a beginners course completion certificate which proves that you are competent and that’s usually enough. You will often need to join the Archery Governing body (AGB) to shoot at other clubs for insurance reasons. After your beginners course we will handle your AGB membership as you’ll need that to shoot with us too.

Q: I have a physical or mental disability; can I still practice archery?

A: Almost certainly, but please contact us with special requirements and we’ll do our very best to accommodate. Please bear in mind that we are a non-profit making sports club and as such can’t always afford to purchase special equipment to suit everyone….we wish we could.