In archery, we are all trying to achieve the most precise and accurate arrow flight as possible. But, as we all know, that doesn’t always happen. It seems as though there’s always a time when an arrow will venture out from its intended path no matter what your experience level. So what gives?

There are plenty of factors that can contribute to the occasional bad arrow flight and inconsistent arrow groups. From issues with your archery gear to shooting form, there’s plenty to uncover when it comes to erratic arrow flight. Let’s first break them down and then figure out how to avoid them altogether!

What is Bad Arrow Flight?

Before we jump into the causes of bad arrow flight, it’s important to understand what it actually is. We’ve all experienced it before: you’re shooting a group of arrows and one hits several inches away from the others. Bad arrow flight can also have issues such as wobbling about during flight, resulting in missing its intended target.

What Causes Bad Arrow Flight?

So what causes an arrow to fly so poorly in the air? There are plenty of culprits that could cause a problem (maybe even a few at once) so let’s go through some of the most common causes. Almost all archers experience some of these at one point or another, but thankfully they are easily corrected!

1. Bad Fletching

Easily the most common cause of bad arrow flight is bad fletching. Fletching that is not appropriately secured or damaged can send an arrow on a very different trajectory than intended. If you are having issues with the same arrow every time, take some time to carefully inspect the fletching. If it has some damage, is coming loose, or was placed by a poor fletching job, this could be the problem.

2. Broken Nock

Like bad fletching, a damaged nock can also negatively affect arrow flight. A broken nock will not hold onto the string properly, so it will also not leave the string correctly. If an arrow leaves the bowstring incorrectly, there’s little chance it will fly properly through the air. This can lead to wobbling and swaying in the air, poor accuracy, and inconsistent arrow groups.

3. Flight Interference

Flight interference refers to anything that will get in the way of your arrow as it moves. This could mean that the arrow is hitting the riser, sights, or part of the rest during a shot. It can also come from things outside of the bow, such as a low-hanging branch, tall grass, or anything else that can touch the arrow before it reaches the target. As you can imagine, even slight contact will cause the arrow to have a poor flight path. This is why it is vital to clear your arrow’s path and ensure it will not come into contact with anything on your bow or in your shooting lane.

4. Wrong Arrow Spine

Many archers are unaware that shooting the wrong arrow spine can have a major impact on arrow flight. Arrow spine is the stiffness of the arrow shaft, and it needs to be match to your bow’s draw weight and length. When the arrow spine is too weak, the arrow will over-flex and cause erratic flight and inconsistency. With an arrow spine that is too stiff, it will not flex enough which can cause reduced accuracy and even clearance issues with your bow.

5. Damaged Arrows

It’s no secret that arrows crack, chip, or splinter over time. While you should always inspect your arrows before shooting, an arrow that has some type of damage can hit far from its intended mark. While not only unsafe, shooting a damaged arrow can cause it to fly unpredictably toward your target. If you do find a damaged arrow, take it out of commission and replace it with an arrow in good condition.

6. Cam Timing

Cam timing plays an important role in the overall performance and arrow flight of a compound bow. When the cams are out of sync or have bad timing, the resulting shot can be unpredictable. Cam timing is the synchronization of the top and bottom cams as they rotate during a shot. When out of sync, the bow can cause the arrow to fishtail or retain poor groupings. A compound bow with proper cam timing ensures that your arrows fly along the right path, the second they leave the bowstring.

7. User Error

While many problems are equipment related, there’s always the possibility that a stray arrow is your own fault. Whether it’s a bad release or the bowstring striking your arm or jacket sleeve during the shot, there are many ways user error can come into play when you experience a bad shot. So when you do have a stray arrow, take some time to go through your shooting form. You may find that you have something out of place or a bad habit that is causing problems.

8. Poor Quality Arrows

Last but certainly not least is the quality of your arrows. This doesn’t refer to the brand or specific model of arrow you shoot, but more to the quality and setup of your arrows. If they are cut improperly or are inconsistent with each other in terms of cut, length, fletching job, etc. then you are more likely to see more instances of poor arrow flight. Whether you build your arrows yourself or buy them from a pro shop, make sure that they are built properly and all consistent with one another.

How to Fix Bad Arrow Flight

If you are experiencing bad arrow flight, you’re probably wondering how to fix it. Thankfully there are a few simple steps that you can take to troubleshoot and solve the issues. Let’s dive into them!

1. Evaluate Your Gear

Start by assessing all of your shooting equipment. Make sure they are all in good working condition. Carefully inspect everything from the limbs, arrow rest, sights, bowstring, and each individual arrow for any signs of damage or misalignment. If you find anything out of spec, take the time to repair or fix the issue.

2. Check Shooting Form and Technique

The next thing to evaluate is your shooting form and technique. You want to identify any issues with your shooting stance, anchor point, release, and more. An easy way to check your form if you don’t have someone else to help you is to take a video of you shooting. Review the video to try and find any issues.

3. Double Check Your Arrow Spine and Length

After going through your equipment and form for any problems, it’s time to verify your arrow spine and length in relation to your bow. Make sure that you have an arrow spine matched to your draw weight and length. If not, it may be time to visit an archery shop or change arrows in order to remedy the issue.

4. Adjust Arrow Rest and Sight

A misaligned rest or sight can negatively impact arrow flight, so the next step is to ensure that the arrow rest is properly centered and aligned on your bow riser. Your bow sight should also be properly aligned, and each one should come with some fine-tuned adjustments that can be made should corrections be needed. When making small adjustments, shoot the bow and verify your work.

5. Review Your Anchor Point and Release

Next, move onto your anchor point and release. Without a consistent and repeatable anchor point and release, you will not get consistent shots. If needed, focus on and practice these aspects of your shot in order to see if your shooting improves. Many archers would be surprised how often their anchor point or release is the root cause of erratic arrow flight. But with a few simple tweaks, it can quickly remedy the problem.

6. Paper Tune

Once you have thoroughly reviewed all of your gear and shooting form, it’s time to paper-tune to reveal any other adjustments that may be needed. Paper tuning can help diagnose and correct arrow flight issues that are not obvious to you, so it’s important to do this after ensuring that everything else is right. Set up a large sheet of paper in front of your target and take a shot through it. An arrow with proper flight should make a clean tear, while tears that lean to one side show that more adjustments are needed.

7. Rinse and Repeat

If you are still experiencing problems, go through these steps again to identify the problem. It may also help to get guidance from an expert at an archery shop who can help find out why you are experiencing poor arrow flight. While it may seem like a lot of work, it is well worth the accuracy and shooting you will find after solving the problem!

Final Thoughts

If you shoot a bow enough, you are bound to eventually experience bad arrow flight sooner or later. When you do, it’s important to know some of the common causes of bad arrow flight so that you can figure out how to solve it. Just remember that fixing bad arrow flight may take some time and patience, but with a little bit of work and knowledge, you can quickly solve your issues and enjoy more accurate shooting!