New to Trad Troubleshooting

[mtnbound]

I just picked up my first recurve a few days ago and am hoping to get some feedback to troubleshoot some issues I am experiencing.

Bow is a Vista Monarch 62" pulling 40lbs @ 28" draw. I think I am technically a 28.5" draw (at least in compound, so I may be pulling more like 41 lbs? It's just a basic entry level 3 piece recurve.

Issues I am trying to troubleshoot:

1.) Tip of middle finger sore/numb: It doesn't necessarily feel numb, but feels like it is getting way more contact than my other 3 fingers (shooting 3 under with a tab).
- Questions are: Is this normal starting out? Just part of conditioning different body parts? Or does it sound more like there is a problem such as too thin of a tab or not hooking correctly (too shallow, too deep, etc.)?


2.) Grip Issue and Pulling/Torquing Right: I have smaller hands (generally a medium glove). I cannot quite wrap my index and thumb all the way around the grip. They just barely touch. I noticed that trying to shoot with just those 2 has the bow torquing very bad and jumping forward pretty violently. It actually causes me a pretty consistent wrist slap as well. I added my middle finger to wrap around alongside my index finger. It helped tame the torque a lot and cut out the wrist slap, but I am still consistently grouping to the right, generally about 4 inches at 10 yards, 6 inches at 15, and 8-10 at 20+ yards.
- Any recommendations on grip modification or technique that may help cut out hitting right? Or any videos/books/etc. that help explain? I think the issue is a combination of not releasing smoothly along with torque in my left hand.

I am currently reading through different forums and watching a few youtubers (Clay Hayes, Joel Turner, The Push, etc.). Any and all feedback is appreciated and welcome.

#1 is normal, it will get better. You could up the tab thickness or material type as well but I say just toughen up those fingers by shooting regularly.
#2 if the grip doesn’t fit I would sand it down to fit.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

#1 is normal, it will get better. You could up the tab thickness or material type as well but I say just toughen up those fingers by shooting regularly.
#2 if the grip doesn’t fit I would sand it down to fit.

Everything has gotten way better since I posted this. I’ve got a WARF built off a Martin Gazelle riser that is shooting lights out. I got a bubba Bateman tab that was thicker that helped a lot and my fingers just got used to it and stopped hurting. Grip issue was just being unfamiliar. Hard to believe where I am now vs where I started.