Many archers aren't getting the accuracy they should from their equipment. Their common lament is: "I used to be able to shoot tighter groups. Now I have this super fast bow and I can't hit anything with it". Fast bows are great! But for every bit of speed you gain, you sacrifice forgiveness. If you have perfect form, forgiveness doesn't matter as much. Unfortunately, most of us don't have flawless form.

Three things make a compound bow faster:

1. Low brace height.
2. Radical cams.
3. Short axle to axle length.

Each of these qualities help make a bow faster however, each also makes a bow inherently less forgiving.

Sure, you want the speed, but you probably can't afford the reduction in accuracy that often comes with that speed. The best bow for each of us is determined by our form, our ability to judge yardage and the bow's intended use. Before you make a decision on which bow to buy, look at your strong points and your weaknesses. Only after an objective analysis of your abilities can you confidently select the bow that is right for you.

Randy Ulmer