For those who love to compete, X count is everything. Many others simply enjoy the camaraderie of shooting with friends. Scores come second. We each have our personal priorities and no one needs to defend or explain why they shoot. That’s a good thing and we’re all welcome on our many courses.
A bit of fun with a worthwhile message.
“Higher scores…
if they came in a box,
surely everyone would buy one.”
The truth is, we all shoot for our own personal reasons. For some, it’s all about Circassian Walnut stocks and engraving. I see hands going up and hear cheering. Another group of shooters take great pride in only shooting Sporting Clays with their pump shotgun…or side-by-side…and rightfully so!
Now…for our tournament shooters? Understandably, X’s and O’s matter greatly when the scorecards come out. Higher scores are the goal here for all the right, personal reasons. Of course, you and I can relate. And, understandably, questions arise when both a performance and score fall below expectations. Which brings us here. What needs to be done to raise those scores? Competent instruction? Yeah…I’d agree with that…offered humbly, mind you. What about equipment? Doesn’t that matter? I think we can all agree…that’s a very good question.
Let’s talk for a moment about the equipment in our vehicle when we arrive at the course. Here are two true, unembellished stories about gear. I promise I’ll leave the conclusions strictly to you.
The other day, I drove down the hill to the stop sign on my way to River Bend to teach. Across the street sits a busy golf course. The golfer on my left was standing on the fairway about 50 yards from the green directly in front of me. As someone who used to play a lot of golf, I was cheering for this guy. Stone quiet and no one behind me, I parked my truck, checked my rear-view and settled in to watch this unfold. Again and again, he steadied his range finder, wanting to be absolutely sure he knew the exact distance to that pin. For the correct club selection, that distance was important, right? Three times he checked. And just to be sure…he checked one more time. I know because I counted. His distance calculations confirmed…confidently now…up and out of the bag came the “right” club.
The pressure was on, but he looked ready when he stepped up over the ball. I was hopeful, and I know he was, too. His left and right-foot stance and balance were good. He checked multiple times… and steadied himself. Back went the club, smooth as silk. WHACK!!! He swung so hard he tripped and almost fell over backward. I watched the ball glide over the green and roll to a stop somewhere in the brush about 30 yards behind the pin.
Wrong club? Range finder malfunction?
Here’s a great memory, told just as it happened…
Jim and I were young, probably 17 or 18. We were on our way to Canada to fish for Muskies…just 2 young Pennsylvania boys out on an adventure, growing up together. We had little money, but I was carrying my Father’s Gulf credit card in my wallet and my deer rifle under my sleeping bag in the back seat.
Arriving in Canada, we cleared Customs and I saw a Gulf sign. It was a small Mom and Pop store where we got our licenses, gas and bread for our PBJ sandwiches. All the food we could afford. No complaints, though. 10 minutes later, we were on our way, hammer down. I was driving when I looked across at Jim, head between his knees, doing something with his hands in a paper sack. At first, I wasn’t interested. Minutes passed and he was still hunched over that paper sack. I could hear a package being torn open…for what I had no idea.
I was just about to ask him what he was doing when he straightened up, sat back and held up the ugliest, most bizarre looking 8” long fishing lure I’d ever seen. There were no less than 6…count’em, 6…huge treble hooks hanging off that lure. I’m being kind when I use the word “lure.” In my mind, I was pretty darn sure that contraption would scare away most of God’s creatures…including those that weren’t in the lake.
Jim turned and asked me…” Danny, do you think this will work?” I took a moment and replied…” Jim, I think it already did.”
My favorite machine at the gym
is the television.
Be safe. and stay hydrated. I hope to see you out on the course.
If you wish to break more targets and shoot consistently, you may wish to purchase Dan Schindler's books Take Your Best Shot and To The Target, available on the Paragon website. Unfortunately, Beyond The Target is currently out of stock. Schindler's books are an investment in good shooting and offer invaluable insights, serving as a roadmap for shooters of all levels. Take Your Best Shot and To The Target are available on the Paragon School of Sporting website and shipped worldwide. Schindler's 3 books offer a simplified and uncomplicated approach to shooting, laying a solid foundation for breaking more targets and achieving consistently higher scores. These books offer invaluable information and are the next best things to taking a lesson with Dan Schindler. There's a wealth of information and blog posts on the Paragon website.
"Dan Schindler is unlike any other shooting coach."
Dan moves shooters — all skill levels (Never touched a shotgun to Master Class) — forward fast. He teaches the step-by-step Paragon Shooting SYSTEM that he meticulously designed to take the mystery out of breaking targets consistently, providing shooters with the solid foundation to continue moving their game forward. Shooters leave their lesson with crystal clarity, which removes the mystery of why the target broke (or didn't break). No more feeling lost, confused and frustrated.
Thank you for being here and I look forward to seeing you out on the course.
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About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses, and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!
Dan Schindler's Books
"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors
and parents of youth shooters."
Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.
To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.
Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels. It is filled with valuable information and clay target truths. It is entertaining and a culmination of three decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.
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