What length should I get for a traditional longbow?

Question

I am 5'9" and all of the bows I see that I want such as like elven replicas and such as that are all 72'' long and I was wondering if it was normal or awkward to shoot a bow that is 3 inches taller than I am?

Answer 1

Go to your local sporting goods store archery dept and have them help you get fitted for the right longbow the one you have mentioned should be just about right.

Answer 2

you will be fine with a 72 but 50 pounds at 28 may be a little to heavy for you.....you should go to an archery shop and try a few different weights to find what you feel comfortable with and don't overlook recurve bows....they are more forgiving than longbows

Answer 3

If the bow is too long, you probably can't draw it far enough to hit it's good performance area, it's sweet spot if you want.  But at 5'9", you'd probably be ok with a 72" bow.  Now if you hand that bow to a kid who is 5' tall, then there will probably be issues with performance.  I've seen this issue with very young kids(6-7) shooting the standard 62" club bows, the arrows coming out barely fly.

For the record, I'm also 5'9", and I shoot a 70" bow with no problems.  But I do have an abnormal draw length for my height.  My draw length is similar to people who are 6'4".

As to draw weight, if this is your first bow, with a 50# draw weight the best outcome is you will develop so many bad habits that you won't be able to shoot straight, worst case scenario you'll end up in the emergency room.  Start light, you are using muscles that you never use before.  When coaching beginners I usually have them start around 20lbs if they seem well built, lighter than that if they don't seem fit.  

Now, problem with longbows is that, they're usually not made for beginners, and hence there's no light weight available.  I'd suggest getting the lightest weight possible.  For shooting traditional/instinctive, you can get by with a 30-35lbs bow, as opposed to the 15-20lbs that I recommend for Olympic style.  You don't need to hold as long with traditional style as you do with Olympic style.

Yes you can get by with that.  I do hope you're a very strong woman.  Most of the women I coach can barely pull back 24lbs.  Some of them are very athletic, but then again it comes back to the style of shooting.  What are you planning on doing with the bow?  Are you going hunting with it?  If so, I suggest getting something cheap first and then upgrade to the heavier ones and buy the good stuff when you get to the legal limit for hunting in your state.