It’s human nature to leap to methods that promise quick and convenient ways to improve. From Tom Fiumarello, Paragon Senior Instructor: “It seems we as Americans have to have a hook. If we didn't, the golf industry would never exist. Instead of buying the latest and greatest driver, accurate golf ball or the "wonder wedge," everyone should take a few lessons and learn how to correct a swing.” 

The fact that a great many people are told something is no guarantee of it being correct.

Measuring leads?

The curse on good, consistent shooting.

A while back, I read an article on why you should “calculate lead” by measuring. So, how do you measure lead? You don’t.

To paraphrase Bob Lockett, Paragon Senior Instructor (RIP), “The nanosecond a shooter allows his brain’s focus to shift to measuring lead, the muzzles will begin to parachute (slow down), the miss falling behind. Some amount of parachuting is almost inevitable.”

As for measuring a lead, is it 6 inches? 1 foot? 3 feet? How much lead is correct? XOOXOXXO. Now totally confused – all confidence gone – another two shells go into the gun. OO.

Importantly, here’s where reality complicates matters even further. If the shooter chooses to measure a lead and incorrectly calculates the distance to the target, and its size and speed, the swing is doomed from the start. And let’s not forget, Sporting Clay target presentations are endless, all with different target sizes, distances, angles and speeds. How can one correctly measure a lead and be right with all these variables?

Folks…we shooters have evolved.

Years ago, I heard N.S.C.A.’s Gary Greenway say, “90% of the top Sporting Clays shooters in the world are pulling away from the target when they pull the trigger.” A profound statement. The Pull Away shooting method. Time has proven Mr. Greenway absolutely correct. However, time has also proven to me that his percentage figure was too low.

Each of my 3 books (Take Your Best Shot, To The Target and Beyond the Target) emphasizes the necessity of some muzzle harmony with the target, early in the swing. The swing’s next step? Not to measure, but to pull away from the crossing target with a right now trigger pull. The gap created is not measured. As the muzzle clears the target, pull the trigger. X after X, the shooter realizes he/she does not know how much lead that pull away created. That’s correct. XXXX because there was no need to look for a measurement. The cadence or feel of pulling away is smooth and might best be called assertive, but is not “yeeehaw” aggressive. Target/muzzle harmony first. Pull away second. Trust it!

Over the years, Paragon students continue to confirm which methods really do work, which ones don’t, and most importantly, WHY. These methods and confirmations are the very foundation of Paragon. No mystery, no confusion, no excuses, no measuring. Just a consistent shooting system that creates improvement and more consistent X’s.

Thanks for spending time with us. Be safe and we hope to see you out on the course.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Are you tired of being lost, confused and frustrated? If you want to move your shooting to the next level quickly, contact Dan Schindler at Paragon School of Sporting or give him a call at (828) 693-6600 to discuss the best path for you to quickly move your shooting to the next level and take the frustration and mystery out of missing targets.  

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