Beginners Courses
very experienced noobs
Have you ever fancied trying archery?
Whether you’ve been inspired by the Olympics, Robin Hood, fantasy films, or simply want a new hobby that gets you outdoors, our beginners’ course is where you can start.
At Glasgow Archers, our qualified coaches will teach you everything you need to know to shoot safely, confidently and enjoyably. No previous experience is required.
We operate a waiting list for our courses, which is currently very long due to a high level of interest in 2026. If you are interested in taking part in one of our courses, make sure to reach out and we can add you to the waiting list.
What Is a Beginners’ Course?
For most people, a beginners’ course is where their archery journey begins. It’s your introduction to the sport and at Glasgow archers, it gives you the skills needed to shoot safely at any Archery GB affiliated club. The course consists of three sessions of approximately 90 minutes, with all equipment provided.
Over the course you’ll learn:
- How to shoot a bow correctly
- Range safety and shooting procedures
- How scoring works
- Archery etiquette and range conduct
- How a typical club session operates
By the end of the course you’ll have a solid foundation to continue your archery journey. More importantly, you’ll discover whether archery is something you want to pursue long term.
beginners course graduates – safe, polite and hitting gold
Do I Need Any Experience?
Not at all. Most people arrive having never picked up a bow before. That’s exactly what the course is designed for. We don’t expect you to know anything about technique, equipment or etiquette. We’ll guide you through everything step by step.
Do I Need My Own Equipment?
No. All bows, arrows and safety equipment are supplied by the club. Just bring:
- Comfortable clothing suitable for the weather
- Close-fitting tops or sleeves
- Sturdy footwear (in the summer)
- A willingness to learn
And maybe a healthy sense of humour. It helps.
Why Do Beginners’ Courses Exist?
People are often surprised that archery requires a formal beginners’ course. After all, how hard can it be? Pull string. Let go. As it turns out, there’s slightly more to it than that. A good beginners’ course teaches three important things:
Shooting Technique
Learning the correct basics early makes archery far more enjoyable. A coach will help you develop a good stance, draw the bow safely, aim effectively and build consistent technique from the start. When everything comes together and your arrow flies straight into the gold for the first time, you’ll feel like a hero.
Then you’ll immediately be asked to do it again.
Range Etiquette
Archery ranges operate according to a shared set of rules and conventions. You’ll learn:
-
- When it’s safe to approach the shooting line
- How shooting sessions operate
- How to score
- How to collect arrows safely
- Why touching somebody else’s bow without permission is a spectacularly bad idea
These things quickly become second nature, helping everyone enjoy the sport safely and smoothly.
Safety
Archery enjoys an excellent safety record because clubs take safety seriously. You’ll learn range commands, whistle signals and the procedures that archers follow every time they shoot. Before long these habits become automatic, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the sport.
What Happens After the Course?
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll have learned the basic skills, safety procedures and range etiquette you need to continue shooting at an Archery GB affiliated club. There are several clubs across Glasgow and the west of Scotland, but naturally we hope you’ll decide to stay with us. Read more about post course graduation stuff here.
We offer:
- Our outdoor shooting field (summer) or indoor range (winter)
- Experienced coaches and members
- Regular club shooting sessions
- A welcoming atmosphere
- An entirely reasonable amount of banter
Many of our current members started exactly where you are now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I too old to start archery? Absolutely not. People begin archery at all ages. Some start as juniors, while others discover the sport later in life and enjoy it for decades.
Do I need to be fit? You don’t need to be an athlete to start archery. Your coach will help you use equipment appropriate to your ability and experience. If you have a particular physical limitation or concern, please get in touch before booking and we’ll be happy to discuss it.
What if it rains? This is Scotland. We’re experienced in dealing with weather. We’ll provide guidance for each course, and any necessary arrangements will be communicated in advance.
What is the minimum age? Glasgow Archers currently requires juniors to be at least 12 years old and accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Interested?
We run beginners’ courses throughout the year, subject to demand and coach availability. If you’d like to join a future course or be added to the waiting list, please get in touch.
Email: glasgow.archers.club@gmail.com … Or use our Contact Us form and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
We’d love to help you take your first shot.
* * *
Here is the tale of a beginner who is now with us over a year (as of writing): Finlay’s First year at GA.
Discover more from Glasgow Archers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Hi I’m looking for a beginners course for my son he is 12 years old and myself his father we live in the Glasgow area and we are keen to try out his sport properly together thanks