Last night I was shooting and getting frustrated. About halfway I decided that I needed to change ho I gripped the string, putting most of the pressure on the index and middle fingers and minimizing pressure on my ring finger.

Started grouping better right away.

Yeah, we've discussed it before but last night it really sank in.

Then I was looking at my tab (Bateman 3-under) and realized that there was a fair amount of excess material hanging below my ring finger.

I usually trim my tabs so there's not too much material at the fingertips, but hadn't really payed attention 'down there.' (I will modify my current tab a bit.)

I've habitually bought 'Large' tabs and trimmed but now I'm thinking, should I try a 'Medium'?

OR, maybe just switch to two fingers. So, does anyone make a good two-finger cordovan tab?

Short answer; yes. I went from large to medium and it made a big difference.

Ive tried switching to 2 finger and it ultimately was a bad experience and Ive talked to other people who had the same experience as me.

I ended up with nerve damage on the bottom of my middle finger where the string slides over the distal joint. It took over a month for it to heal and for the pain to stop - and I shot that way less than a week.

For me the best solution is to us three fingers but put minimal possible pressure on the ring finger. That way it protects the middle finger just enough while having the least effect on the shot.

I have shot 2 fingers under for years. My index finger rests lightly on top of the shaft. I take DEEP hooks with the string on the crease between the last and the middle digits of the middle and ring fingers. Put as MUCH of the draw weight on the middle finger as you can. The pad of my thumb is firmly on the back of my little finger middle digit. It makes for a very consistent release and I have suffered no ill effects ever this way.

My third finger is usually just along for the ride, so to speak. It helps control the shot of course, but likely only has half the pressure that the middle finger has and the index also has much less pressure. I shoot split finger and that ring finger is important to my form. Many times you can alleviate pressure on the ring finger by lifting the drawing arm elbow a bit. And yes, I hear guys decrying that but many pro shooters and Olympic shooters shoot a high elbow, so I'm not deterred. :)

Check your PM's. I may be able to help.

Two under, deep hook, no finger strain,and a smoother more consistent release. Been working for me for the last 5 years. Low weight bows though. 30 to 40 lbs.

I also have been shooting 2 under for years. I use a medium Bateman tab and trim off the area where the ring finger normally goes. This has worked well for me using bows in the 40- 50# range.

Total agreement with bassman- basic split w/ minimal ring finger contact. It works

Right handed, My ring finger hasn't worked in 25 years. Split I put about 80% of the weight on my middle finger. 2 under my index takes most the weight. I make my own tabs, I leave a little excess tab below my middle finger, just enough so when the string wraps around on the draw, it is still on leather. I used a shallow hook for years, recently switched to a deep hook, the deeper hook is easier to get a clean release, not that a shallow hook ever gave me problems. Never any injuries shooting either way, not counting the montana that made me lose feeling in my finger for 3 months. That was too much draw and not enough bow.

I know Bateman and Rick Barbee make 2 finger tabs.

Doesn't Bateman make a 2 under tab? I think a friend that shoots 2 under uses a Bateman.

Steve

I too have been shooting with two fingers split for a lot of years with no problems. Deep hook to first joint on the middle finger which carries probably 80% of the load and I hook my thumb under my jaw bone as a secondary anchor point. Two fingers really helps me get off the string cleaner-shoot 47-48# bows with no strain this way. As far as the tabs go, just trim the appropriate amount off the bottom of the tab to customize to your needs

I use a two finger Bateman tab sometimes. Alleviating the ring finger from the equation can give me a cleaner release. I'm not pulling a great deal of weight so it works for me. I've also shot the Toelke split finger grip in which the index finger is lying along the string (not actually engaging it) and most of the weight is on the middle finger with a little bit on the ring finger. There was a pretty good thread on TG recently in which finger position pics were posted that showed the pre-grip set up with the middle finger engaging the string while the other two fingers set back just a bit. I've been using this with good success.

Dartwick's post on nerve damage has me re-thinking.

I have arthritis in my hands, also a bit of carpal tunnel inflammaton, so for now I'll stick to three fingers, with a reduced tab and more focus on using the fingers correctly.

Didn't realize Bateman made a two-finger tab, I buy mine from 3 Rivers, but they only carry a 'selection', not the entire line. Thanks for the pointers.

Update - the last several shooting sessions I've been focusing on pulling with my index and middle fingers, and 'ignoring' the ring finger. Seeing a marked improvement in consistency. So I'm going to stay with it as is.

DanaC, that’s great! Sometimes we have to play around until we find what works.

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