Choosing Arrows – What Should You Look For?
Choosing the right arrows is essential for accuracy, consistency, and safety in archery. While arrow selection charts are a good and logical starting point, they do not tell the whole story. Shooting technique, draw length, and the actual bow setup have a major influence on how an arrow performs in real-world shooting.
In this guide, we explain how to choose arrows, how shooting technique affects arrow selection, and why personal advice at an Archery Service Center (Netherlands) often leads to better results than relying on charts alone.

Arrow Selection Charts: A Good Starting Point
Arrow selection charts are designed to provide an initial guideline based on:
Draw weight
Draw length
Arrow length
Point weight
These charts assume:
A neutral shooting technique
A standard release
A properly tuned bow
For many archers, arrow charts are therefore an excellent place to start. They help prevent clearly incorrect choices. In practice, however, real shooting conditions often differ from these standard assumptions.

The Influence of Shooting Technique on Arrow Selection
The way you shoot directly affects how stiff or weak an arrow behaves during the shot.
Examples include:
A clean, relaxed release may allow for a slightly weaker arrow
Excessive finger tension can cause an arrow to react weaker
Grip pressure or torque affects arrow flight
An inconsistent anchor point creates variation in arrow behavior
As a result, two archers with the same draw weight and arrow length may still require different arrow spines.

Draw Length and Arrow Length: Not the Same
A common misconception is that draw length and arrow length are the same. They are not.
Draw Length
The distance the bow is drawn
Determined by body mechanics and anchor point
Affects effective draw weight
Arrow Length
The physical length of the arrow
Chosen for safety and tuning purposes
Has a major influence on dynamic spine behavior
An arrow that is:
Too short can be unsafe
Too long behaves weaker
Even small changes in arrow length can require a different spine than what a chart suggests.

Why Charts Alone Are Not Enough
Arrow selection charts cannot account for:
Individual shooting technique
Release quality
Grip pressure
Bow tuning
Actual point weight and arrow components
For this reason, charts should be used as a starting point, not a final decision. In practice, testing and tuning are essential for optimal arrow selection.

Why Buying Arrows at Archery Service Center (Netherlands) Often Works Better
At Archery Service Center (Netherlands), it is possible to:

Accurately measure draw length
Determine the correct arrow length
Adjust spine selection to your shooting style
Have arrows professionally cut and assembled
Receive immediate feedback during setup and tuning
Especially for beginner and intermediate archers, this helps prevent frustration and unnecessary costs.
Charts are useful.
Practical experience is better.

When Arrow Selection Charts Do Work Well
Arrow charts are very effective when:
You shoot consistently
Your bow is properly tuned
You know your exact draw length
You are replacing an arrow setup that already works well
Even then, charts remain a tool, not an absolute truth.

Final Thoughts
Choosing arrows is not just about numbers.
It is about the interaction between the archer, the bow, and the arrow.
Charts are a good starting point.
Understanding technique makes the difference.
Testing and personal advice deliver the best results.
Unsure about your arrow selection?

Advice and professional help with setup at an Archery Service Center (Netherlands) can save time, money, and frustration.

Johan van Dongen

Archery Service Center