Why You Should Try Sporting Clays: My Journey from Nervous Beginner to Hooked Enthusiast
Introduction: Taking the Leap into Sporting Clays
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of shooting sports, but my husband Clay didn’t share that same interest. So, for a long time, it just sat on my "maybe one day" list. That is until I found a couple of friends who also wanted to give it a shot (pun intended). Together, we decided to join a sporting clays league—because, why not dive right in? Nothing like a sink-or-swim moment! Spoiler alert: I was hooked from day one.
Starting Out: Facing the Fear of Looking Foolish
When we first joined the league, I was a bundle of emotions—excited but also a little intimidated. Let’s face it, walking into a gun club with seasoned shooters can be nerve-wracking. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of people who had been doing this for years.
To my surprise, the community was incredibly welcoming. The gun club I joined feels more like a family. Everyone was so encouraging and supportive, happy to share tips and tricks without making me feel out of place. That support made all the difference in building my confidence, and it’s one of the things I love most about this sport.
The Hook: Why I Couldn’t Stop After Day One
After that first day, I was hooked. Sporting clays is fun, exciting, and—most of all—challenging. I’m someone who thrives on challenges, so this was right up my alley. Each time I shot, I learned something new, and that thrill kept me coming back.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just the excitement of hitting a moving target (though that’s an amazing feeling). The best part is that there’s no pressure to be perfect right out of the gate. It’s all about the learning process, and that’s where the fun really is.
Overcoming Challenges: Finding My Own Way
One of the toughest parts was figuring out my own personal style. Everyone in the community is helpful, but sometimes it’s a little overwhelming because everyone has their own way of doing things. There are so many components to breaking clays—timing, positioning, focus—that it can feel like information overload.
The best piece of advice I can give to beginners is to leave your ego at the door and just have fun. You will make mistakes, but that’s part of learning. And when you do start improving, there’s no better confidence booster!
The Benefits: Thrills, Confidence, and Stress Relief
Speaking of confidence boosters, one of the biggest perks of sporting clays is the confidence that comes with getting more consistent. There's nothing like that moment when you hit a target cleanly and realize all your practice is paying off.
Not to mention, it’s an incredible stress reliever. I sleep best on league days after a few hours on the course. The sport is not only thrilling and challenging, but it’s also an escape. There’s something about focusing so intensely on each shot that clears your mind.
Getting Better: Taking Training Beyond the Range
When I first started, I would only shoot on league days once a week, and that was enough. But soon, I wanted to improve. I started watching training videos on YouTube, and that opened up a whole new world of ways to practice at home. Pro tip: you can use your shotgun and a flashlight to simulate aiming, which helped me a lot!
Since then, I’ve joined a few charity shoots, which are a blast. My friend and I—now dubbed “The Miss Fires”—are working toward forming a full team of four women to compete in charity shoots. For now, it’s just the two of us who shoot consistently, but we’ve been able to pull together a few more ladies for events.
My Advice: Find a Friend and Give It a Shot
If you’re even remotely interested in sporting clays, my advice is simple: find a friend, join a league, and give it a shot. You don’t even need to buy gear right away—many ranges rent shotguns and sell ammo, so you can try it out before committing.
It’s definitely a team sport. At a minimum, you need one person to shoot and another to push the button when you yell “pull,” sending the clays into the air. The social aspect makes the experience even more rewarding, and it’s something I look forward to every week.
Conclusion: Don’t Be Afraid to Dive In!
Sporting clays has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done, and I can’t recommend it enough to women who are looking for a fun, challenging, and stress-relieving sport. If you’re on the fence, don’t be afraid to dive in. Whether you’re competitive or just want a fun way to spend time outdoors, sporting clays has something for everyone.
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