Shooting clays can improve your game
How often have you heard a game shot dismiss clay shooting as useful practice because “clays slow down, birds don’t”? Well, a friend who’s in a national Sporting clays squad and an excellent game shot observed: “Game shooters are right when they say clays slow down. Yet when you transition from clays to partridges when the season starts you may start by missing in front. Why? Because despite slowing down, most clays are under full power and quicker than gamebirds in the window in which you have to shoot them.”
Bearing this in mind, clays are a real challenge. I’m always trying to persuade other game shots that regular sessions on them should not be seen as the preserve of competitive claybusters nor confined to the odd charity day. Approached correctly in the right relaxed but focused way, clay shooting may become much like golf or tennis – a satisfying leisure activity in its own right and one that will pay general sporting dividends.
Many game shots feel a bit uncomfortable with clays. They may have a go, not hit
