Hallelujah…guess what I just got?

A very long time ago, being 2 young teenagers, Jim and I were headed into Canada to fish. A long day behind us, using my Dad’s Gulf card, we stopped for gas and a sandwich. Back in the car and rollin’, I glanced over and saw Jim, head down, fussing inside a paper bag. After a long minute passed, Jim sat up straight, ending the mystery. Holding up this gigantic, brick-shaped fishing lure with treble hooks dangling off each corner, Jim asked me… ”Do you think this thing will work?”

I smiled and suggested, “I think it already did Jim.” 

Let’s talk about what we can buy…and what we can’t. 

Jack is a model student and recently I’ve been blessed by his good company. Putting all the fun and trash talk aside, he is a serious man. By that, I mean he’s not only eager to learn, but willing to do the work…whatever it takes to advance his personal skills. Jack openly asks me to skip the diplomacy as he focuses on following instructions, exactly. KISS. And why Jack’s skills are advancing so rapidly.

Halfway finished with his singles homework, I’m proud of Jack and his work ethic as he is gaining on his goal of consistency and higher scores. The emphasis with each shell…each target…has been to concentrate on building good form…improving his time and gun management…not just X’s and O’s.

As I listened to him update me on his last practice session, he asked me about shortening his barrels from 32” to 30”, maybe buy a new set of barrels of that length? As I’d already confirmed that Jack’s gun did in fact fit him perfectly…I also knew his gun’s weight and balance were excellent. Impressively, Jack moves this shotgun with slick precision. So, why on earth would he want to change anything? I was surprised by his question…then again, I wasn’t. His question was well-intended. We discussed why his gun was an asset to his shooting, so no changes, please. That’s not exactly how I worded it, but hey… 

 “Never say never, because limits,

like fears, are often just an illusion.”

- Michael Jordan

Looking for something to watch on TV this morning, I stumbled onto the Golf channel. The commercial came on and told me why I should buy these new “shoes” that promised me not only longer distance but greater accuracy. Wow!! Seriously? Everything you ever wanted in golf from a pair of shoes! Truly amazing. Maybe these shoes would give you and me more precision with our shotguns? I’ll look into it and get back to you.

You’d be surprised how many “new and improved” golf clubs being advertised promise you exactly what you don’t have and very much (desperately??) want in your golf game. Whatever is wrong in your personal swing, this club…all by itself…will fix everything for you. Guaranteed.

OK now…before you accuse me of being against owning good equipment…I’m not. I own very good equipment and have encouraged my students to do the same. But never with the promise that better equipment will guarantee more Xs on a score card. Those results will always depend on the shooter. And there’s the point in this article.

This thing we have about wanting to break more targets…hey, we all do. And owning good equipment can indeed be an asset in reaching that goal. However, what we cannot ask our equipment to do…is raise our scores. For example, if I remember correctly, Mr. George Digweed has won the World Championship 24 times. Just 24? Now…sorry…but, imagine you are struggling on a particular target and Mr. Digweed hands you his shotgun saying…"Here, use this. Works every time."

Counting on your equipment to break targets…to use the “LASER Ultimate Precision” golf club and believe you will consistently hit the ball longer and straighter…puts your faith in magic fairy dust hope, not reality. Why? Because those results can only come from an individual’s skill…and nowhere else. Despite what we are promised…and, try as we might…no one can “purchase” skill. Club or shotgun in hand…the shot outcome will always depend on the individual…not the equipment.

Our wanting to improve our shooting is noble and needs no explaining or defending. We cannot, however, depend on a “purchase” to make up for what we cannot seem to do.  Skill comes first, equipment second. Always. For instance, the gun that will work for us will be the gun that fits us correctly with the right balance and weight. That said, on the targets we're having difficulty with, Mr. McGuire, Mr. Matarese or Mr. Cherry can easily demonstrate what this gun is actually capable of. Enough said.

Please understand, there’s no criticism in any of this…none…just a simple truth. So, please, don’t shoot the messenger.

BTW…anybody here want to buy a pair of almost new golf shoes?

Have a great day 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, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.

Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...

 Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition

To The Target (Book II)

Beyond The Target (Book III)