06/22/2026
Are you having difficulty transitioning from a glove to a Tab?
Maybe my findings will help.
Stuff costs a lot these days. And everyone doesn't have the money to spend and spend money on a bunch of different tabs trying to find one they can hit the spot with. And most importantly, not knowing WHY they're not grouping where they should be.
So hopefully my experimenting with different materials and designs might help.
I've shot traditional bows off and on since 1975. 51 years. Over the years I've attempted to use a tab several times but just couldn't give up a glove. I always felt like the tab gave me a better, cleaner release, but it felt weird and my groups wouldn't be in the same place as when I used a glove.
A few years ago the pain in my fingers got to be too much for me due to neuropathy when using a glove. I tried a thicker glove but the string quickly made grooves in the finger stalls causing the string to hang up on release. Especially so because I also had to start shooting lighter weight and less weight means the string doesn't clear your fingers as cleanly.
So I decided to revisit the tab and fully commit to them because I could make it thicker and not worry about the string hanging up. After several designs I finally came up with a couple designs I liked but at first my groups were off compared to a glove.
I know this is a long story and a lot to process but here's what I've found concerning using a tab and transitioning from a glove.
Mind you, these findings are assuming you have good arrow flight and you're getting good groups but your groups are left or right from the spot you're aiming at.
1- if my groups are consistently to the left it can mean two things: the tab is too fast. Or the tab is too thin.
2- if my groups are to the right it can also mean two things: my tab is too slow. Or the tab is too thick.
So what do I mean by the tab being too fast or too slow?
Slicker tab face material means the string clears the tab faster. Making it a faster tab.
Naturally, our thoughts tell us, and the archery world in general tells us that the slicker the tab face is the better. Slicker type leather like Cordovan, Kangaroo or Bridle leather , and the new synthetic material used for tab faces are pretty popular.
Also, you'll see a lot of people prefer a single layer tab in addition to the slickest material they can get. However, with my findings slicker doesn't always mean better. Especially if your arrows ain't hitting where you're looking and ESPECIALLY if you have developed a pretty good form and ex*****on and sight picture that you like and you don't want to change.
My groups will go from the center with a regular old glove, to several inches to the left using a single or double layer tab (less than 1/8" total thickness) with a Cordovan face.
My groups will only go to the right if I go to 4 layers, (over 3/16" total thickness) and a slower leather face.
My personal perfect combination to keep my groups in the center is a 2-3 layer tab, (approximately a little less than 3/16" thick) and with a Bridle leather face which is slightly slower than Cordovan.
Your results may vary.
